Student Note on Aid for Iraqi Cultural Heritage

Priscilla Singer haw written a student comment for Chicago-Kent Journal of International and Comparative Law titled "THE NEW AMERICAN APPROACH TO CULTURAL HERITAGE PROTECTION: GRANTING FOREIGN AID FOR IRAQI CULTURAL HERITAGE". From the Introduction:

In reviewing the actions of the U.S. Department of State in response to the destruction of

Iraqi cultural heritage, I will first discuss Iraqi history and the background facts leading up to the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003. Next, I will discuss two separate events involving U.S.troops and the destruction of Iraqi cultural heritage: first, the initially passive response of U.S. troops to the obliteration of the Iraq National Museum and second, the U.S. occupation of the ancient city of Babylon. When dealing with each section, I will discuss basic facts describing American involvement in these events, American international law (or even domestic law) obligations when dealing with cultural heritage, and whether the U.S. lived up to their obligations. Finally, I will discuss current American operations at rebuilding and restoring Iraqi cultural heritage. I will analyze whether the current American approach falls into the American definition of foreign aid and what, if anything, will foreign aid do for fostering Iraqi identity.