Untitled

Abstract

In 2003 the US invaded Iraq and began a process of rebuilding the Iraqi state. The crime control gained prominence, as it was seen as a presupposition and, at the same time, a result of the strengthening of state authority. The relationship between international interventions and crime has been studied by wide range of scholars. We aim to systematize the interpretations raised about the Iraqi case considering what has been developed by scholars dedicated to understanding the relationship between international interventions and criminality. We classify the literature into two groups: the first, which establishes a conflicting and competitive relationship, and the other, which identifies complementarity between criminality and statebuilding. From there, we seek to offer new interpretive paths for future research on Iraq.