Iraq"s rich history: more than a colonial creation
- Bartle Bull's book recounts 5,000 years of Iraq's history, emphasizing its long-standing cultural significance.
- The narrative challenges the idea that Iraq is an 'artificial nation' created by colonial powers, highlighting its historical continuity.
- Bull's work asserts that Iraq's rich past is integral to its national identity, countering misconceptions about its relevance.
A new book by journalist Bartle Bull explores Iraq's extensive history, spanning 5,000 years, challenging the notion that it is merely a product of Western colonialism. The narrative highlights that Iraq's geographic region has been recognized since at least the sixth century A.D. and has a rich cultural and historical legacy that predates modern borders. Bull argues against the idea that Iraqis lack connection to their ancient past, countering the perception that their history is irrelevant to contemporary identity. He emphasizes that the region has been a distinct part of the world, with a shared history that includes significant contributions to culture and intellectual thought. The book also addresses the misconceptions surrounding Iraq's formation, particularly the claims made by advocates for partitioning the nation along ethnic lines, which many Iraqis have historically rejected. Bull's work serves to illuminate the deep-rooted connections between Iraq's past and present, asserting that the country is more than just a colonial construct, but rather a land with a continuous and complex identity.