Knowra Iraq Iraq Iraq is a country in western Asia, bordered by Iran, Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait. Its capital is Baghdad, and its territory includes much of ancient Mesopotamia.
Mesopotamia : A historical region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, home to some of the earliest cities and states. Much of Iraq occupies the region known by this ancient name.
Iraqi Constitution of 2005 : Iraq’s constitution adopted by referendum in 2005, establishing a federal parliamentary republic. It defines the powers shared by Baghdad, provinces, and the Kurdistan Region.
Iran–Iraq War : A war between Iraq and Iran from 1980 to 1988, marked by prolonged trench warfare and heavy casualties. The conflict exhausted Iraq’s resources and deeply affected its population.
Saddam Hussein : The Iraqi president who ruled from 1979 until his government was overthrown in 2003. His rule defined Iraq’s politics through war, repression, and centralized power.
Iraqi Arabic : A group of Arabic dialects spoken in Iraq, with distinctive vocabulary and pronunciation. It is a major everyday language across much of the country.
Ottoman Iraq : The Ottoman-ruled provinces around Baghdad, Basra, and Mosul that preceded modern Iraq. Their boundaries and institutions shaped the territory Britain later governed.
Federalism in Iraq : The constitutional division of authority between Iraq’s national government and subnational entities, including the Kurdistan Region. Federal arrangements shape disputes over regional powers and natural resources.
Gulf War : The 1990–1991 conflict that followed Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait and ended with a US-led coalition expelling Iraqi forces. Iraq’s invasion brought international war and sanctions against the country.
Nouri al-Maliki : An Iraqi politician who served as prime minister from 2006 to 2014. His governments led Iraq during the US withdrawal and escalating sectarian tensions.
Kurdish language : An Iranian language spoken chiefly by Kurds across parts of western Asia, including northern Iraq. Kurdish is an official language in Iraq alongside Arabic.
Show all 30