The Iran-Iraq War: A Proxy War Initiated by the United States

The Iran-Iraq War, which lasted from 1980 to 1988, was a devastating conflict that claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, including child soldiers. The roots of this war are complex and multifaceted, involving regional tensions, political instability, and geopolitical maneuvering by external actors, particularly the United States.

United States and Saudi Arabia's Role in Compressing Iraq into Iran

In the early 1980s, the United States and its allies sought to create a quagmire in the Persian Gulf region. This included arming and providing incentives to Saddam Hussein, the leader of Iraq, to invade Iran. U.S. policymakers, driven by geopolitical and strategic interests, believed that a prolonged and costly conflict would contain Iran's rise as a regional power.

Among the key factors were the Iranian Revolution of 1979, which left Iran in a state of political and social chaos. Saddam Hussein saw this as an opportunity to expand Iraqi territory, particularly into Iran's oil-rich regions. By supporting Iraq, the U.S. hoped to create a buffer state that would both contain Iran and secure U.S. (and Saudi Arabia's) interests in the oil-rich regions of the Persian Gulf.

Proxy War and Iraqi Tactics

Tasked with invading Iran, Saddam Hussein employed brutal tactics, including the use of chemical weapons, to ensure that the Iranian guerrilla fighters could not mount an effective resistance. The use of nerve gas on the battlefield was a calculated strategy designed to demoralize and incapacitate the opposing force. This approach, combined with indiscriminate attacks on civilians, aimed to create a stalemate that would make it difficult for Iran to mount a unified counteroffensive.

The Iranian people, however, rallied in support of the government, demonstrating remarkable resilience and unity. This made it challenging for the Iraqi forces to achieve a decisive victory, leading to a prolonged war of attrition with neither side able to gain a clear upper hand. The Iranian Revolution had instilled a strong sense of national identity and unity, which pushed back against the Iraqi offensive and ultimately drove them from Iranian territory.

Chaos and Border Disputes

The long-standing border disputes between Iraq and Iran, exacerbated by political turmoil in Iran, provided the immediate spark for the war. Saddam Hussein's decision to attack Iran's oil-producing region was not merely opportunistic but also a strategic move to destabilize the newly established Iranian government. These disputes had been simmering for years, but the chaos following the Iranian Revolution created a ripe environment for Iraqi aggression.

In addition, the United States and Saudi Arabia had a vested interest in maintaining regional stability. By creating a proxy war, they hoped to prevent Iran from gaining further influence in the region and to keep the flow of oil uninterrupted. The U.S. also used the 1993 terrorist attack on New York as an excuse for military intervention, despite the lack of concrete evidence linking Iraq to the attack and the failure to locate any weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) as promised.

In conclusion, the Iran-Iraq War was a multifaceted proxy war initiated by external powers, with the United States playing a central role. The complex interplay of regional tensions, political instability, and strategic interests led to a conflict that lasted more than a decade and resulted in significant human and economic costs. Understanding the root causes of this war requires a nuanced analysis of the geopolitical dynamics at play.