The Iraqi Tribal Structure: Background and Influence on Counter-Terrorism

The tribal structure is one of the oldest establishments of Iraqi civilization. The origin of the Iraqi tribal structure dates from the time of Mesopotamia and has endured centuries of subjugation to empires, monarchies, foreign occupations, and national governments. This longevity has been attributed to fluctuations in governing powers throughout time, which have required tribes to concentrate their allegiance and political force on maintaining long-term networks rather than to support changing regimes to sustain their tribes. Throughout the turmoil, the tribe has remained the most important entity in Iraqi society. In the absence of strong central authority, tribes functioned as miniature quasi-polities where tribal leaders (known as sheiks would administer resource and conflict management and law enforcement.