Iraq was created after WW I as a British mandate, and became independent in 1932.
from Reuters: Evidently the recent "dead on arrival" amnesty peace plan may have actually been the last best hope for the continuing existence of Iraq in its present configuration:
"Iraq as a political project is finished," a top government official told Reuters -- anonymously because the coalition of Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki remains committed in public to a U.S.-sponsored constitution preserving Iraq's unity.
"The parties have moved to Plan B," the official said, saying Sunni, ethnic Kurdish and majority Shi'ite blocs were looking at ways to divide power and resources and to solve the conundrum of Baghdad's mixed population of seven million.
"There is serious talk of Baghdad being divided into east and west," said the official, who has long been a proponent of the present government's objectives. "We are extremely worried."
At this point, this sounds attractive; but obviously would involve massive displacement, continuing border disputes. At least it might be more peaceful.