Sectarian conflict in Iraq Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Sectarian conflict in Iraq - Essay Example The first two pages provide an in depth analysis and commentary on the evolving nature of the conflict. It argues that the roots of the conflict have been present since the creation of the country in the aftermath of World War I by the integration of former Ottoman Empire provinces. Further the politics of the country has been based upon totalitarianism and centralized government that has been effective and efficient in suppressing any manifestation of Shiite or Kurdish nationalism and fundamentalism. After this the research study focuses on the efforts of the Iraqi and American administrations in resolving the sectarian problem. Despite superficial attempts to negate the concept of sectarianism the root causes of the conflict persist. The research paper uses the political theory of realism in order to understand the causes and nature of the sectarian conflict in Iraq. Finally it makes recommendations which will assist policy makers in eradicating the scourge of sectarianism in the c ountry. Iraq was created after World War I by the British administration by joining together former provinces of the Ottoman Empire. Three ethnic and sectarian groups, Kurds, Sunnis, and Shiites inhabited this area. During the Baath party regime of Saddam Hussein, the Sunni elite had managed to suppress any manifestation of Kurdish or Shiite resurgence. However the United States invasion of Iraq and overthrow of the Saddam Hussein regime has dangerously changed the balance of power and monopoly once enjoyed by the Sunni elite. Shiites and Kurds have carved out their respective zones of influence where they dominate the state and security apparatus. Fighting in Iraq has increasingly turned towards a sectarian conflict between Shiites and Sunnis. The struggle has also been a broad part of the struggle between Arab states and Iran to protect and defend their interests in Iraq. Sectarian clashes have led to the wholesale expulsion or killings of minorities with enclaves being carved out

Rise And Fall Of Traditional Forms Of Music Retail Essay

Rise And Fall Of Traditional Forms Of Music Retail - Essay Example Music industry, as we know it, finds itself in deep crisis these days. Traditional forms of music retail show constant dip in sales every year; and this trend has started to unfold quite a long time ago. On the one hand, the noughties have witnessed a dramatic downfall in traditional market sales but, on the other hand, so-called digital music sales have been boosting market share for 15 years in row and there are no signs of any stark slowing down in this business segment. The digitization of music, technological development and booming e-commerce sector have opened a window of opportunities for some music industry players and issued the challenge of unprecedented structural crisis for the others. My goal in this paper is to identify the winners and losers of a drastic decline in traditional forms of music retail, analyze the reasons that stand behind such a decline, as well as its consequences, and find the roots of innovative ideas that have changed the face of music industry in t he 21st century. I have organized the paper into three sections, two of which have sub-sections. In the first section I elaborate on the strategic prerequisites for growth and decline in the traditional forms of music retail by making a brief retrospective journey into the history of music industry. In this section I also discuss the scope of economical and structural crisis that the music industry started to suffer with the advent of new technologies and rapid development of the Internet.