Iraq's Youth in a Time of War

The war in Iraq continues to have a detrimental affect on millions of Iraqi youth. Although billions of dollars are being spent on the war, not enough attention has been paid to enabling these youth to be part of Iraq's reconstruction. Yet the vast majority of the country's population is under 25 years old. As a result, many youth are being recruited as paid-for-hire insurgents and adding to the perpetual mayhem and violence. This article will explore the current struggle that Iraqi youth face and suggest ways to ameliorate their increasingly desperate position and help them find a better future. It argues that the United States and the international community should increase their support for efforts to engage Iraqi youth in their country's state-building efforts. This is crucial for increasing the stability in that country and throughout the region.