The history of Iraq is marked by both prosperity and violence and dates back to the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia. Although dominated by various civilizations, the region enjoyed a relatively stable society. Since the birth of Islam, the religion has been the dominant cultural belief of the region and has made its way into the laws and rules of the region. (InDepth Info, 2010) At the end of World War I, the British Empire took control of the territory and imposed a monarchy on the region. However, in 1932 the British Mandate ended and the Iraqi people took control of their newly independent country. Ruled by a series of kings, the country remained sufficiently stable and prospered due to the discovery of oil in the country. However, due to increasing political oppression, a group known as the "Free Officers" overthrew the monarchy and instituted republican government in the territory. (Iraq Foreign Policy, Brittanica, 2010) Before the invasion, Iraq reflected the views and policies of its leader, Saddam Hussein, who made his first political appearance as a supporter of the Baath Party. He was imprisoned in 1967 for this and, after his escape, quickly rose to power within the faction. (Biography of Saddam Hussein, 2008) Saddam became known for his political skill and progressiveness, and quickly became a popular politician. After working on extensive unification and expansion efforts for the Ba'athists, the man became vice chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council. Faced with enormous religious, racial, social and economic divisions, Saddam launched a campaign of total control to establish stability. Ever the wise leader, Hussein realized that the main way to ensure stability was to increase living standards. The first...... middle of document ......om/2001/WORLD/asiapcf/central/09/30/ret.taliban.binladen/index.htmlThe cost of war. (nd). National Priorities Project. Retrieved February 18, 2010 from http://www.costofwar.com/Tripp, C. (2002). A History of Iraq (2 ed.). New York: Cambridge University Press. The United States launches cruise missiles at Saddam. (March 20, 2003). CNN.com. Accessed February 18, 2010, from http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/03/19/sprj.irq.main/Bomb attack on UN headquarters, Baghdad, Iraq. (nd). GlobalSecurity.org - Trusted security information. Retrieved February 18, 2010 from http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iraq/un-hq-baghdad-bombing.htm Wright, R. and Knickmeyer, E. (August 14, 2005). The United States is lowering its vision of what can be achieved in Iraq. The Washington Post. Retrieved February 18, 2010 from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/13/AR2005081300853.html