The Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s - Research Paper Example

The Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s Topic: Who did the U.S. Support, and What Role did they play? Thesis: United States participation in the Iran-Iraq War of 1980s, changed the way in, which both Iran and Iraq perceive the United States. It significantly damaged United States image before Iran. The events that occurred during this period, however, continues to shape the connection between these two countries. Alternatively, United States support of Iran in this war damaged the association between Iraq and the United States. One of the key reasons for U.S. participation in this war was to fight terrorism in the Middle East nations. Chubin S, Tripp C,. Iran-Iraq War, 1980-1988,Middle East--Politics And Government--1945-,Iran--History--1979-,Iraq--History--1958-. London: Westview Press, 1988. Print. This book is a collaborative writing between Shahram Chubin and Charles Tripp. The book contains relevant details regarding the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s. The book contains details regarding the origins of the Iran-Iraq War. It separately analyzes politics and strategies that were associated with both countries during the war. Issues of long-term effects and impacts of the war on both countries are also addressed in this book. Religion in both Iraq and Iran is stated in the both. The book further continues by assessing the relationship between these two countries and the superpowers. In essence, the book in the conclusion chapters describes how Iran is related to the United States, and how Iraq related with Superpowers, which were either hostile or friendly. Hiro D. The longest war: the Iran-Iraq military conflict. New York: Routledge, 1989. Print. Published in the year 1989, this book by Dilip Hiro turned out to be highly instrumental in providing information regarding the Iraq-Iran War. The book provides detailed information on the root of conflict between Iraq and Iran War. Hiro takes a deep and critical look at the boiling issues affecting embattle Iran and Iraq. Hiro continues giving details regarding the war by touching on impacts it will have on the outside and Western world that is through exploring the victims and benefactors of the war. The engaging part of the book is the part whereby, Hiro discusses how the war was fought that is, through stating the weaponry and strategy employed by both countries during the war. This book also provides information pertaining to the negotiations that failed, and resulted in the war. Jacek B. "US Role in the Iran-Iraq War and its Negative Implications on US-Iran Relations." Kulna: For All of Us (2010): 1-3. Print Jacek’s article is one of the most recent scholarly article that examines United States’ involvement in the Iran-Iraq war of 1980s. Since it is one of the latest publication in this subject matter, it highly gets cited in later articles and books on the U.S. participation in Iran-Iraq war of 1980s. The content of this article is easy to comprehend, and it helps me understand how the United States supported Iran, and defeated Iraq in the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s. It highlights both the reasons, contributions, and impacts of United States participation in this war. For example, the author notes that although the events of the United States involvement in this war may be forgotten by both Americans and Iranians, they significantly dictates how both the nations currently perceive each other. This article also shows how complicated this war was, from forming collaboration with Iran to defeating Iraq. Kilborn P. "Baker, In Saudi Arabia, to Pledge U.S. Neutrality in Iran-Iraq War." The New York Times (1987): 1-3. Print. This newspaper article from the New York Times was beneficial since it reported on a daily basis all the developments that led to the Iran-Iraq War. The genius of this newspaper article is the fact that it continued recording and reporting all that transpired during the war. This newspaper best exemplifies the stand that the United States took during the war. The day-to-day maneuvers, which the United States embarked on during the Iraq-Iran War, are clearly reported by the New York Times. Peter Kilmon is the author who wrote the articles regarding the Iraq-Iran war in the New York Times newspaper. The article from New York Times was helpful since it reported on a daily basis all that transpired on the battlefield and other outside factors that were related with the war. Phythian M. Arming Iraq: how the U.S. and Britain secretly built Saddam's war machine. New Hampshire: Northeastern University Press, 1997. Print Although Phythian book is mainly about how the United State and Britain secretly constructed Saddam’s war machines, it successfully describes the reasons, contributions, and impacts of United States involvement in Iran-Iraq War. This book is a necessity in understanding this topic because it contains many legends and half-truths about the cause of Iran-Iraq war, and United States involvement and support. This is significant because I want to produce a factual paper about this paper. For example, the author points out that during the Gulf War, the U.N., and U.S. found themselves facing Western-made weapons, and this move failed the covert policy to supply Iraq with weapons, in 1980, in its war with Iran. This book is noteworthy in understanding the subject matter, because it separates facts from legends and warns how careful scholars must be, when carrying out researches about Iran-Iraq War of 1980s. Sick G. "The Washington Quarterly." Iran: Confronting terrorism (2003): 83-98. Print As discussed in my source evaluation paper, Sick article is one of my best sources since it directly discusses that the United States participation in the Iran-Iraq War was mainly to combat terrorism. It will be of much importance when developing and supporting my thesis statement. In addition, this article provides much factual information about the Iran-Iraq war, and this is what, apparently, made it published in Washington Quarterly. This means that it is a trusted source for studying the causes, contributions, and impacts of the United States involvement in this war. In addition, Sick is one of the journalists who produced videos and reports during this war, and this means that he wrote this article based on experience and first hand information. Summary In conclusion, I believe that I have enough secondary sources to help me begin writing my paper. Sick’s article will be my most valuable source, but I have to avoid over relying on it when writing my paper. Jacek’s and Phythian’s sources will help in avoiding over reliance on Sick’s article as a source of writing my paper. Apart from the sources annotated above, I will also find some online articles from newspapers and magazines, written at the time of the war, to aid in producing a quality paper. Read More