Since the terrorist plot against the World Trade Centre took place on September 11, 2001, the United States is not tired to reiterate its commitment to fight terrorism on a global scale and to oppose all states involved in harbouring or supporting terrorist activities. It did not take long for Bush′s War Cabinet to announce that the war in Afghanistan is only the beginning of a wider range of activities, which soon may be extended to countries like the Philippines, Sudan, Yemen, Somalia, Iran, Iraq and North Korea. In his State of the Union Address on January 29, 2002, President Bush depicted the latter three states as an "Axis of Evil". Meanwhile this expression has entered public debate as a household term. America′s increased war rhetoric and it′s blunt ambitions to oust Saddam Hussein and finally settle Bushs´ unfinished family business raised open criticism not only in the Islamic world but also among NATO allies. Many conceive this term as inopportune, misleading, ideologically biased and even insulting. Despite widespread resentment, the United States is currently assessing its opportunities to stage a full-scale war against Iraq within the next months and is campaigning for diplomatic and if possible military support in the Middle East, Europe, Russia and China. British Prime Minister Tony Blair has already declared his support for American war plans. The strong stance of the White House was recently underlined by statements of Vice President Cheney and Minister of Defence Rumsfeld who announced that the United States is able and willing to rely on its own strength and act unilaterally if an international alliance against Saddam Hussein cannot be materialized. Against this background, it is likely that we soon will witness full media coverage of a new Gulf War and CNN footage of American soldiers operating in the Persian Gulf. It would be naive and inept to expect that the ousting of Saddam Hussein′s regime is an easy and bloodless task and could automatically bring long-term stability to the region. Although, most TV channels and newspapers will provide us anew with a version of a modern high-tech war absent of bloodshed and human suffering.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The Political and Historical Making of the Modern Iraqi State
3. Chronology of U.S.-Iraqi Foreign Relations
4. Conclusion – The Shipwreck of U.S. Foreign Policy toward Iraq
Objectives and Topics
This research paper examines the complex and often contradictory bilateral history between the United States and Iraq leading up to the Gulf War. It challenges the media-driven narrative of natural antagonism by analyzing the geopolitical, economic, and strategic shifts that defined this relationship, specifically focusing on periods of active U.S. support for Saddam Hussein.
- The historical formation and political structure of the modern Iraqi state.
- U.S.-Iraqi foreign policy shifts during the Cold War and the regional power dynamics.
- The impact of economic interests and the "Iraqgate" scandal on U.S. foreign policy.
- An evaluation of moral and security failures in U.S. diplomatic behavior toward Iraq.
Excerpt from the Book
The Ba´ath Movement, its Ideology and Weltanschauung
A prudent and comprehensive study of Iraq’s foreign policy towards the United States requires a basic understanding of the domestic conditions in which political decision-making in Iraq takes place. Foreign policy is not only engendered and constrained by a country’s position in the international state system and its strategic factor endowments, like the population, natural resources and military capabilities. Unquestionable, foreign policies always tend to reflect systemic considerations but it is also true that state behaviour is influenced by the specific domestic conditions and ideologies that prevail in a given moment of history. Iraq is a good example. The recent history of the country is dominated by the Ba´ath Party controlling the government and being the only recognized party in regime controlled territory. Political dissent is not tolerated and opposition parties, like the Kurdish Democratic Party or the Patriotic Party of Kurdistan, have to operate illegally, in areas outside regime control in Northern Iraq or from exile.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: Outlines the post-9/11 political climate and the objective of contextualizing the current conflict by examining the historical relationship between Washington and Baghdad.
2. The Political and Historical Making of the Modern Iraqi State: Explores the foundations of Iraq, its governance, and the role of oil and ideology in shaping its internal political landscape.
3. Chronology of U.S.-Iraqi Foreign Relations: Details the fluctuations in bilateral ties, from the containment strategy of the Baghdad Pact to the strategic rapprochement during the Iran-Iraq war.
4. Conclusion – The Shipwreck of U.S. Foreign Policy toward Iraq: Assesses the moral and security failures of U.S. policy, arguing that short-sighted business and strategic interests prioritized temporary gains over long-term stability.
Keywords
Iraq, United States, Foreign Policy, Saddam Hussein, Ba'ath Party, Gulf War, Oil, Iraqgate, Cold War, Middle East, International Relations, Geopolitics, Arms Trade, Sanctions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The work explores the bilateral relations between the United States and Iraq prior to the Gulf War, challenging the common perception that these two nations have always been natural adversaries.
What are the central themes of the analysis?
The paper covers the historical development of Iraq, the role of oil interests, the ideology of the Ba'ath Party, and the influence of American business and strategic policy on regional stability.
What is the primary goal of the author?
The aim is to move beyond current political rhetoric and place the U.S.-Iraqi conflict into a broader historical context, highlighting the inconsistencies in American foreign policy.
Which methodology is employed?
The author utilizes a historical and descriptive analysis of diplomatic events, political speeches, and investigations into government trade policies to support the central argument.
What does the main body of the text address?
It covers the political history of the Iraqi state, the rise of the Ba'ath ideology, the "Iraqgate" scandal, and the shift in U.S. policy from indifference to heavy support during the Iran-Iraq war.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
The paper is defined by terms such as U.S.-Iraqi relations, geopolitics, regional hegemony, diplomatic failure, and the complex interplay between economic interests and national security.
How did the Iran-Contra affair impact U.S.-Iraqi relations?
The Iran-Contra affair revealed the contradictory nature of U.S. policy, which simultaneously sought to contain Iran while engaging in covert arms sales that eventually fueled the conflicts the U.S. was purportedly trying to manage.
What role did dual-use technology play in the relationship?
Dual-use technology exports—such as fiber optics and heavy industrial equipment—were frequently approved by the U.S. under the guise of civilian trade, even though officials were aware that these items were being diverted to Saddam Hussein’s military and nuclear programs.
- Quote paper
- Simon Drexler (Author), 2002, Foreign Relations between the United States and Iraq, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/9197
