The Iran–Iraq War 1980–1988
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About this book
The Iran-Iraq War, which ended in August 1988, one month short of its eighth anniversary, was one of the longest, bloodiest and costliest Third World armed conflicts in the twentieth century. Professor Karsh addresses the causes of the Iran-Iraq War, unpacking the objectives of the two belligerents and examining how far objectives were matched by strategy. He assesses the war's military lessons regarding such key areas as strategy, tactics and escalation and in particular the use of non-conventional weapons, Finally, he examines the utility of armed force as an instrument of foreign policy.
Contents
Introduction · Chronology · Background to war : The quest for the empire of God· Warring sides: Strengths and weaknesses of Iran and Iraq · Outbreak: Invasion and after · The fighting: The delicate balance of incompetence · Portrait of a soldier: Iran's boy soldiers· The world around war: Nations at war · Portrait of a civilian: Death of a village · How the war ended: The poisoned chalice · Conclusion and consequences: A costly exercise in futility
Paperback; April 2002; 96 pages; ISBN: 9781841763712