Rumsfeld's journey reflects evolving US stance towards Saddam from ally to adversary.
US support for Iraq during the Iran-Iraq War demonstrates shifting Middle East alliances.
Conflict in the region reshapes dynamics, highlighting US involvement in Iraq's brutal consolidation of power.
Deep dives
Richard Nixon advising Don Rumsfeld on building his diplomatic resume
Richard Nixon in 1971 advises Don Rumsfeld on boosting his diplomatic credentials by suggesting areas of global focus, excluding the Middle East due to its complexity. Years later, Rumsfeld finds himself in Baghdad, representing US interests in supporting Saddam Hussein's war against Iran, showcasing contrasting values.
Rumsfeld's strategic evolution from Nixon's advice to confrontation with Saddam
From a discussion with Nixon in 1971 to a meeting with Saddam in the '80s and finally advocating the invasion of Iraq in 2003, Rumsfeld's journey reflects changing dynamics from ally to adversary, hinting at the complex relationship between the US and Saddam.
Evolving US interactions and support towards Saddam during the Iran-Iraq War
Amid Saddam's rise to power and the Iran-Iraq War, the US provides intelligence and arms to Iraq, overlooking chemical weapon use, highlighting shifting alliances and interests in the Middle East.
US response to evolving Middle East dynamics during the Iran-Iraq War
As the conflict intensifies and shifts, the US navigates between Iran and Iraq strategically, with strategic actions like providing intelligence, armaments, and supporting Israel's actions, showcasing a balance of power in the region.
Intensification of the Iran-Iraq War and Sadam's brutal consolidation of power
As the Iran-Iraq War escalates, culminating in atrocities like the Halabja massacre and the US involvement, the conflict reshapes regional dynamics, marking a turning point in Sadam's brutal consolidation of authority in Iraq.
We trace the origins of America’s perverse relationship with Iraq, from the Cold War to the Iran-Iraq War in the 80s. Assassinations, coups, counter-coups, and the rise of Saddam.
