ABSTRACT
This book attempts to explain how and why the Iraqi military intervened in the affairs of state between 1936 and 1941. The intention is not to describe the various coups of this period, but to explain the gradual assumption of a political role by the Iraqi army. It is primarily an 'historical' explanation that is being attempted, rather than an application of any theoretical model of the role of the army in politics. It may therefore be appropriate first to explain why I regard this approach as more suitable to this subject, and to discuss the limits within which theoretical explanations can be useful.
