The last time a nation went to war with Iran was 30 years ago in 1980 against Saddam Hussein’s Iraq. The war lasted eight long years with approximately 1.8 million casualties on both sides of the conflict. The war was fought over provinces of Iran to which Iraq believe to have a legitimate claim. The provinces Iraq wanted were near the Persian Gulf along the border of Iraq and Iran; the provinces happened to be rich in strategic natural resources, especially oil. The main reason why the conflict was so long and bloody was because members of NATO, most importantly the United States, funded both sides of the conflict despite their apparent public distaste for either regime. This foreign policy carried out by the Reagan Administration to secure the stability of oil prices during the 1980’s so the balance of market share between the member states OPEC (Oil Producing and Exporting Countries) countries was maintained. The Iranian military fought valiantly and in 1988 emerged victorious despite sustaining the majority of the casualties and expenses. The newly formed Islamic Republic of Iran was fighting for its existence and the American support for the war effort on both sides solidified the establishment of the anti-American government. The Iran-Iraq war is a case study in successful short term policy that suits the expedient needs of a nation-state but has unwanted long term ramifications. The conflict is also a preview of what war with Iran might be like if the United States or Israel decides to declare war on that nation.
War with Iran
April 20th, 2010Iran Government
April 20th, 2010The State of Iran is formally known as the Islamic Republic of Iran. As such, the term “Islamic” means that there are theocratic elements of the structure of the Iranian government. Iran’s government is a blend of the structure of historical Islamically organized government and modern Democratic Republics. Iran is generally not considered to be a free society as the nature of the government’s rule is harsh and autocratic.
Iran Military
April 20th, 2010There is much talk about Iran’s military capabilities in the news. Iran is a country that has not seen military conflict in over 20 years since the bloody eight-year conflict between its then aggressive neighbor Iraq. With the US Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the geopolitical climate of the Middle East has changed significantly over the last decade. Iran as a state may have its own reactions to the new geopolitical climate. Iran as currently stands in its long history is an ambitious nation whose form of government could be regarded as a model for the rest of the Middle East. Since 1979, the nation-state of Iran is formally known as the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Iranian Islamic revolution imposed a form of government that is a combination of religious theocracy and constitutional monarchy. This form of government came as a result of Western policy regarding the oil rich nation-state and promotes itself as the antithesis of western rule. Thus, Iran and its Islamic form of government can be regarded as a threat to the commercial interests of the West. Iran is also staunchly against the existence of Israel as a nation-state. Many times it has threatened existence of Israel.