Book Review: negotiating in civil conflict: constitutional construction and imperfect bargaining in Iraq by Haider Ala Hamoudi

Iraq has been racked by ethnic and sectarian conflict, which intensified following the American invasion and continues today. In this book, Haider Ala Hamoudi explores how the country was able to draft a constitution that appeals to the country’s three main sects despite their deep disagreements. Illuminating the aims of the text and acknowledging the continued discussions after a constitution is ratified, the author emphasises the ‘negotiation’ in Negotiating in Civil Conflict, writes Ruth Houghton.