ABSTRACT
In 2005, observers were optimistic about the prospects for the new Iraqi constitution, which was intended to strengthen democracy, create oil revenues and distribute them fairly to the Iraqi people, and achieve sustainable peace. 1 Instead, the oil provisions of the constitution have created a vague and conflicting legal system that has pitted government agencies, levels of government, and religious and ethnic groups against one another, threatening the entire peacebuilding process. Specifically, the constitution failed to clearly and explicitly address three key issues:
Who owns the oil.
How the oil reserves are to be managed.
How the oil revenues are to be distributed.
