In practically every sector, the lack of security hampers reconstruction efforts 6/9/2003
By most accounts, the coalition forces succeeded in changing the Iraqi regime without significant damage to the countrys infrastructure. But that positive news was quickly counterbalanced by the sobering realization that since 1991, technicians have held much of the nation together with chewing gum and baling wire.
United Nations sanctions put in place after the first Gulf War effectively froze development in time. No-fly rules grounded the airlines. Spare parts for powerplants, wastewater and water treatment systems, hospitals and schools were either too expensive or unavailable. Iraqi engineers learned to make do with little more than their own ingenuity.