Iraq Country Handbook 1
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Iraq Country Handbook 1. This handbook provides basic reference information on Iraq, including its geography, history, government, military forces, and communications and transportation networks. This information is intended to familiarize military personnel with local customs and area knowledge to assist them during their assignment to Iraq. 2. This product is published under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Defense Intelligence Production Program (DoDIPP) with the Marine Corps Intelligence Activity designated as the community coordinator for the Country Handbook Program. This product reflects the coordinated U.S. Defense Intelligence Community position on Iraq. 3. Dissemination and use of this publication is restricted to official military and government personnel from the United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, NATO member countries, and other countries as required and designated for support of coalition operations. 4. The photos and text reproduced herein have been extracted solely for research, comment, and information reporting, and are intended for fair use by designated personnel in their official duties, including local reproduction for training. Further dissemination of copyrighted material contained in this document, to include excerpts and graphics, is strictly prohibited under Title 17, U.S. Code. Contents KEY FACTS. 1 U.S. MISSION . 2 U.S. Embassy. 2 Travel Advisories. 2 Passport and Visa Requirements . 3 Customs Restrictions . 4 GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE . 5 Geography . 5 Statistics . 5 Boundaries . 5 Topography . 6 Climate. 8 Environment . 11 TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATION . 11 Transportation . 11 Roads . 11 Railroads . 12 Air . 13 Maritime . 13 Communications . 13 Radio and Television. 13 Telephone and Telegraph . 14 Newspapers and Periodicals . 14 Satellites . 15 iii Contents (Continued) CULTURE . 15 Society . 15 People . 15 Education . 18 Religion. 18 Customs and Courtesies. 18 Greetings. 19 Talking Distance . 19 Gestures . 19 Hospitality. 20 Dress Standards. 20 Relationships . 21 Family and Social Interaction . 21 Friendship . 21 Professional Relarionships . 22 Other Cultural Considerations . 23 MEDICAL ASSESSMENT . 24 Disease Risks to Deployed Personnel . 25 Foodborne or Waterborne Diseases . 25 Vector-borne Diseases. 25 Sexually Transmitted Diseases . 25 Respiratory Diseases. 26 Water Contact Diseases. 26 Animal Contact Diseases . 26 Key Medical Facilities. 26 HISTORY . 28 Chronology . 41 GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS . 46 Government . 46 National Level. 46 Key Government Officials . 49 Local Level . 50 iv Contents (Continued) Politics . 50 Elections . 50 Suffrage. 51 Parties and Pressure Groups . 51 Foreign Relations. 54 United States . 54 Bordering Countries . 55 Other Countries. 59 ECONOMY . 59 Statistics. 62 Services . 63 ARMED FORCES . 63 Organization . 63 National Policy . 65 Doctrine . 66 Strategy . 67 National Organization. 68 Future . 69 Key Defense Personnel. 70 Force Disposition . 70 Uniforms and Insignia . 70 Army . 74 Organization . 74 Personnel. 74 Equipment. 76 Ground Operational Level of War . 77 The Offense. 80 The Defense . 83 Tactics: Division and Below . 85 Engineers . 142 Combat Service Support . 153 Special Operations Forces . 156 v Contents (Continued) Unconventional Warfare and Tactics . 157 Other Considerations . 159 Air Defense . ..