This chapter examines the complex origins of the Iran-Iraq War, focusing on the tensions following the Islamic Revolution and border disputes. It highlights the contradictory stances of both nations as anti-imperialist regimes and the multiple layers of geopolitical involvement, particularly from the U.S. and the Soviet Union. Additionally, it discusses the impact of sectarian and national identities in the conflict, the ideological narratives created by both sides, and the tragic humanitarian consequences of prolonged warfare.
Featuring Abdel Razzaq Takriti, this is the first of a two-part epilogue to Thawra (Revolution), our series on Arab radicalism in the 20th century. Today’s installment covers the Iranian Islamic Revolution’s huge impact across the Arab East alongside Saudi and Egyptian efforts to foster religious conservative movements in an effort to supplant and suppress the secular nationalist left. Plus the Iran-Iraq War, the mujahideen in Afghanistan, the First Intifada, Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, the first US-led invasion of Iraq, and the PLO’s march toward the Oslo Accords–and how Hamas and Islamic Jihad stepped into the resulting vacuum, picking up a Palestinian armed struggle the PLO had renounced.
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