The stakes for a successful transition to a democratic regime in Iraq have never been higher. The post-war requirements to replace Saddam Hussein with a representative democracy and assure long-term stability and democratic peace in the region are significant. Policymakers, defense analysts, and foreign policy specialists must consider a host of critical questions to ensure that Iraq’s totalitarian system is not reborn under different leadership. A functional democracy in Iraq could serve as a model for other Middle Eastern nations.

How high should the United States set the bar for a post-Saddam Iraq? Are Iraq and the Arab world ready for democracy? How can Saddam Hussein and others be brought to justice for their crimes? How can we minimize the impact of military action in Iraq on the global energy market? What role can Iraq play in regional and international relations? These and other policy challenges will be addressed in a full day conference with some of the world’s leading experts on human rights, international law, petroleum economics, and foreign policy.

In the months to follow, AEI will convene a monthly seminar on a specific topic crucial to a smooth and democratic transition for the people of Iraq, including the following topics: demilitarization, de-Ba'athification, education reform, judicial reform, constitutional and federal issues, debt and reparations, environmental rehabilitation, health and social services, and the diaspora population.