The Role of the United States of America in State-building in the Post-Saddam Hussein Regime (2011-2017): The Perspective of Iraqi Expatriates in the Philippines

Farhan A. Lazim1,*, Belen A. Tangco1, Novie Grace C. Duquilla2

Author Affliations

1The Graduate School, University of Santo Tomas
2University of Makati
*[email protected]

Abstract

Societies experiencing regime change undergo a stage of transition, sometimes made more complex with the existence of foreign intervention. Utilizing Fukuyama’s (2015) theory on political order which posits that, while US intervention may be necessary to mitigate any possible threats that a currently fragile and war-conflicted, Iraq may pose to the international community, such intervention will not be enough to secure a lasting peace and achieve effective state-building for Iraq without institutions to stabilize the country. This descriptive-statistical phenomenology cases were conducted on 110 Iraqi nationals residing in the Philippines. Data were collected using both quantitative and qualitative tools. The findings, both through quantitative and qualitative questioning, held a negative but pragmatic view of US intervention in Iraqi state-building. The respondents prefer that Iraq addresses its problems alone but also recognize the need for American intervention, especially in the areas of military training and post-war infrastructure rebuilding. The issues that are perceived to hinder Iraqi state-building include ethnic and religious tensions, insecurity due to ongoing extremist attacks and lack of inclusivity in decision-making processes. Strong, grassroots-oriented political institutions are thus recommended to ensure that the people will have greater trust in the state-building efforts of their government.