Iraq and Iran
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During the Cold War in the 1980s, Iran and Iraq were engaged in the Iran-Iraq War, and the US and USSR initially did not intervene. However, once it became clear that if Iran won then there would be a new government instated in the country, a government that could be shaped by allies that had aided Iran in the War. |
American and Soviet intervention in the Iran-Iraq War had significant impacts
on the economic and political structures of both nations. Both superpowers
wrestled for an alliance with Iran; the USSR began shipping arms to Iran and the
US gave $2 Billion in commodity credits.
on the economic and political structures of both nations. Both superpowers
wrestled for an alliance with Iran; the USSR began shipping arms to Iran and the
US gave $2 Billion in commodity credits.
Both superpowers provided assistance to
Iranian forces, and the War instigated a Reconstruction Campaign that revolutionized the country’s politics. The War rallied Iranian support for the new government that was coming to power. However, Iran’s economy plummeted due to war expenses |
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Iraq’s economy also suffered greatly, as its leader Saddam Hussein spent a
great amount of money for the war. Since the country’s economy was already not
doing well at the time, the government had to borrow money from allies such as
Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. However, after the War, Iraq was unable to pay back the loans, and this increased tensions with Kuwait. The USSR took advantage of these tensions to strengthen relations with Iraq by providing military advisors and
arms. Hussein, being unwilling to pay the debt, invaded Kuwait. The US deployed
troops to stop the Iraqi invasion, and eventually captured and executed Saddam
Hussein for his violations of international law. This had serious impacts on
Iraqi politics, as it ended Hussein’s dictatorship.
great amount of money for the war. Since the country’s economy was already not
doing well at the time, the government had to borrow money from allies such as
Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. However, after the War, Iraq was unable to pay back the loans, and this increased tensions with Kuwait. The USSR took advantage of these tensions to strengthen relations with Iraq by providing military advisors and
arms. Hussein, being unwilling to pay the debt, invaded Kuwait. The US deployed
troops to stop the Iraqi invasion, and eventually captured and executed Saddam
Hussein for his violations of international law. This had serious impacts on
Iraqi politics, as it ended Hussein’s dictatorship.