Bonus - 20th Century Iraq and the Rise of Ba'athism, Ep. 3 w/ Brandon Wolf-Hunnicutt (Preview)

Abdel Karim Qasim's Shift in Alliances

Abdel Karim Qasim initially rose to power in Iraq through a coup that was perceived as aligning with pan-Arab nationalism, but his actual stance diverged significantly from that ideology. He resisted attempts to integrate Iraqi sovereignty into broader regional alliances led by figures like Nasser, choosing instead to foster a relationship with communists in a bid to stabilize his regime against Ba'athist threats. Qasim's strategic alliance allowed the formation of a large communist militia that helped protect him during the early years of his rule. However, as he aimed to assert greater control over Iraq's political landscape, he began to turn against the communists, ultimately leading to a precarious balancing act in his governance, driven by concerns over nationalizing oil resources.