The Place and Role of Nomads in Iraq's Political Developments

The tribal fabric and lifestyles are the main characteristics of Iraq's social structure and tribal relationships prevail the country's rural and nomadic life. Given this fact, this article seeks to explore the place and role of nomads and tribes in Iraq's sociopolitical developments in various periods of political life in the country. The main idea includes that nomads have proved important variables influencing Iraq's developments and have gained the attention of domestic and international players in the Iraqi political scene in power equations due to their salient position. In other words, Iraq's tribal and nomadic fabric has persistently acted as a major factor in shaping policies and creating opportunity and challenge in the policy-making by the country's domestic and foreign actors.