The Past and Future of the Iraqi city of Mosul

The city of Mosul has had a complex and contested history in modern times and no more so than in the recent decade. This talk will describe the rich and diverse social, political and religious makeup of Mosul’s society before its fall to the Islamic State in 2014 and then the multiple ruptures this group caused in its fabric. The period of rule under ISIS, which will be described and analyzed, wreaked untold devastation, culminating in the successful battle in 2017 to recapture the city. This presentation will also describe the fate of the city and its people since the defeat of ISIS and the return of central government rule from the capital Baghdad.