Nir Rosen's work of freelance political journalism is instructive both as a first-hand account of a post-war society in crisis, and as a cautionary document of the distinction between systematic social science and the recitation of current events. The book consists of seven chapters and an afterword covering a one-and-a half-year period following the invasion of Iraq, which respectively addresses I ), the ascendancy of religious radicalism and the marginalization of moderate voices, 2), the popular response to the U.S. occupation, 3), the impact of the Coalition counterinsurgency and policing strategies, 4), the rise of sectarian strife, 5), the U.S. counterterrorist campaign and resistance in Fallujah, 6), the activities and influence of foreign mujahideen, 7), the first post-war parliamentary elections, and 8), current conditions and future prospects. It also includes a "Cast of Characters", or listing of major Iraqi and regional figures, and a useful glossary of Arabic and other relevant terms. At the outset, the author places the removal of Saddam Hussein by U.S. forces in March-April 2003 into stark historical context: since the founding of the Iraqi republic in Karim-Abdel Qassim's July Revolution of 1958, no transfer of political power in that country has occurred without violence (p. I ). In the pages that follow, he presents a harrowing report of the endemic instability and uncertainty (known in Arabic asfaudha, or chaos) that persists outside of the Coalition-sponsored administrative core (i.e., the Green Zone), which separates the transitional government from the disordered hinterland and urban environs where much of the population resides.

Most importantly, he relies upon direct encounters with a diverse series of individuals and groups in order to demonstrate the fundamental lack of consensus among the Iraqi citizenry regarding both the legitimacy of the U.S. invasion, and the post-war political environment (pp. 2-4). Among the most significant developments that Rosen witnessed was the rapid and intense mobilization by Iraqi Shi'a that took place in the weeks immediately following the fall of the Ba'ath regime (pp. 10-13)....

For the complete book review, please visit The Journal of Third World Studies website. Nir Rosen is a Fellow with New America Foundation. To learn more about In the Belly of the Green Bird, please click here.