Challenges of State-Building in Iraq

The book aims to answer the central question: "What went wrong, more precisely, in the decision chain during the reconstruction of Iraq’s military institution?" The holistic character of the approach is ensured through a series of background analyses.

Although most researches concluded already that Iraq’s reconstruction was a failure, answering the question implied the design of an appropriate research method and data collection/analysis, in order to frame particular characteristics of the reconstruction process. Despite the complexity of the topic and theoretical Security Sector Reform principles, which can hardly be applied to Iraq’s case, the thesis emphasizes on actors involved, their actions and connections between events, as part of a unique process.

Ecaterina-Elena Maţoi is a lecturer at Strategic, Public and Intercultural Communication Department, Security and Defence Faculty, "Carol I" National Defense University, Bucharest Romania. She holds a PhD in Intelligence and National Security ("Carol I" National Defense University), a Dr. phil. des. title in Near and Middle Eastern Studies (Humanities Faculty, Basel University, Switzerland), and an M.A. in Political Sciences, Security and Diplomacy specialization (National School of Political Studies and Public Administration – NSPSPA – Bucharest, Romania). Her areas of expertise and interest are: National Security, Middle Eastern Studies, SSR in post-Saddam Iraq, Propaganda, Cultures and Civilizations; the Military in 20th-century Middle East Politics and Geopolitics of the Persian Gulf region. Ms. Maţoi is also a devoted researcher and a volunteer trainer on different issues related to her fields of expertise.