Essay About Comprehensive Understanding Of The Causes Of The Conflict And Military Development Of Both Nations

The Iran-Iraq War
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On September 22, 1980, Iraq invaded Iran, starting a war that
continues to devastate both countries. Over one million
casualties have been reported. The interest shown in this
conventional war had been low due to superpower noninvolvement and
restrictions on foreign press agents in the war zone. Yet,
because of oil resources, Southwest Asia has been determined to be
of vital interest to the United States. The stability of the
entire region is jeopardized by this war.
This paper began as an analysis of this lengthy war during
the period 1983 to 1984. However, such an approach seemed to lack
a comprehensive understanding of the causes of the conflict and
the reasons the war has lasted as long as it has. To properly
understand the Iran-Iraq war, it is necessary to examine the many
facets that have contributed to the calamity from the beginning.
Chapter 1 is a historical perspective of Iran and Iraq, examining
the religious and ethnic aspects of the two warring nations. The
political and military development of both nations is also
considered, along with their relations prior to the war.
The war itself is covered in Chapter 2. A detailed analysis
of battles is purposely avoided, since the reader can find such
analyses in other sources. But the progression of the three
phases of the war is examined to demonstrate how the strategy of
stalemate has evolved.
An analysis of the conflict is covered in Chapter 3. The
strategies of both countries, and their leaders, is considered,
along with the tactics involved, weaponry used, and the problems
created for the entire region. These problems include superpower
involvement and, specifically, the problems encountered by the
United States interests in the war and its outcome.
Finally, the last chapter examines possible outcomes, U.S.
policy in the war, and considersations for the U.S. military. The
question of what next? in this seemingly endless war is also
asked and a speculative answer is provided.
No primary sources were used for this paper due to the
paucity of information available from such sources. However,
several papers, articles and books have been written on the war
and contain excellent viewpoints, though somewhat biased towards
the West. These sources provided valuable information for an
understanding of what has taken place. This paper is written as a
comprehensive study of the entire Iran-Iraq war that will enable
the reader to basically understand a conflict that is very
involved and complicated. If this understanding is achieved, and
questions concerning U.S. involvement are raised, then the intent
of the author has been achieved.
Though this war is still ongoing, with major events taking
place during March 1985, this paper is limited to events that have
occurred through the first part of February 1985. It would appear
that yet another phase in the fighting is beginning, but due to
time limitations, these events will not be addressed.
Chapter 1
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
The current conflict between Iran and Iraq can be considered
another phase in a regional struggle that has been going on for
hundreds of years. To properly understand this struggle, it is
necessary to investigate the religious and ethnic differences that
have contributed to the unique stresses afflicting the two
countries, as well as how the current governments came into power.
Coupled with the rise of the leaders involved, a review of the
military growth of each country is necessary to understand all
that has happened during the war.
Religion
Islam has been the dominant religion in the area, though
Judaism and Christianity have some roots in the region. Islam was
the last of the three to be established when Mohammed emerged in
610 A.D. to “preach the truth concerning God, Allah”. Differences
of opinion concerning who was the rightful successor of Mohanmed
led to the creation of rival Shiite and Sunni factions of Islam.
The Shiite Moslems believe that successors of Mohammed
descend from Ali, Mohammeds son-in-law. These descendants are
known as Imams and are considered the infallible teachers and sole
source