Humanities Journal of University of Zakho

BEYOND CONSOLIDATING POWER: THE LOGIC AND ADAPTABILITY OF POLITICAL PURGES IN STALIN’S SOVIET UNION, SADDAM’S IRAQ, AND THE ASSAD’S SYRIA

Soran Tarkhani — 2025-11-18

This study analyzes the role of purges as systemic mechanisms of governance within Stalin’s Soviet Union, Saddam Hussein’s Iraq, and Assad’s Syria. While commonly perceived as instruments for power consolidation, this paper argues that purges extend beyond tactical purposes to function as institutionalized practices. These mechanisms enforced elite loyalty, restructured power dynamics, and suppressed dissent, serving as adaptive strategies for authoritarian resilience. The analysis identifies shared patterns, such as a dual-phase structure targeting external threats before focusing on internal rivals, while also exploring ideological, structural, and personalist dimensions. Despite ideological differences—Marxist-Leninist revolution in Stalin’s USSR, Ba’athist Arab nationalism in Iraq, and sectarian authoritarianism in Syria—the study reveals a universal adaptability of purges to the vulnerabilities of authoritarian regimes. Using Wintrobe’s (1998) concept of the “fear equilibrium” and Tilly’s (2003) theory of institutionalized violence, this comparative framework advances the understanding of authoritarian resilience and the strategic role of violence in state control.

ECONOMIC LIFE IN THE KURDISH COUNTRY IN GREEK BOOKS (480-21 BC)

Jotyar Ali — 2025-12-18

Classical sources are considered significant for the history of Kurdistan, particularly in the economic aspect, The economy has been a crucial factor in Kurdish life since the first millennium B.C., with the people of Kurdistan engaged in agriculture, industry, and livestock farming. Additionally, Kurdistan’s wealth in natural resources and dense forests contributed to its economic strength. These factors played a key role in the development of trade. Moreover, Kurdistan’s richness was a major reason for numerous external attacks throughout different periods in history.

THE ACHAEMENID ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEM IN EGYPT DURING THE REIGN OF DARIUS 1 (522-486 BC)

Siraj Alio — 2025-12-21

In the mid-sixth century BC, the Achaemenid Persians came to power, bringing about major changes in the Middle East. They destroyed the Median state in 550 BC and established a new state. Their early kings, such as Cyrus II and his son Cambyses, pursued a policy of expanding the state's borders, and soon this new state was able to expand the country's borders, and the states of Lydia, Babylon, and later Egypt became part of this state. The Achaemenids ruled Egypt for 132 years in two phases. The first phase (525-402 BC) established the 27th dynasty in the country, and the second phase (342-332 BC) established the 31st dynasty under Artaxerxes III. According to Herodotus, this country was appointed as the sixth satrap. Egypt was important due to its geographical location and the presence of the Nile River, the variety of agricultural products, and the Achaemenid kings, especially Darius I, who wanted to dominate Egypt for trade between the East and the West, and hence, this country was of particular importance to the state. Therefore, the Achaemenid kings, one after another, intended to seize this country. This article is based on archaeological observations and recent historical research on the changes in administrative, economic, and social structures in Egypt during Persian rule and the impact of these two civilizations on each other.