Since the terrorist plot against the World Trade Centre took place on September 11, 2001, the United States is not tired to reiterate its commitment to fight terrorism on a global scale and to oppose all states involved in harbouring or supporting terrorist activities. It did not take long for Bush′s War Cabinet to announce that the war in Afghanistan is only the beginning of a wider range of activities, which soon may be extended to countries like the Philippines, Sudan, Yemen, Somalia, Iran, Iraq and North Korea. In his State of the Union Address on January 29, 2002, President Bush depicted the latter three states as an "Axis of Evil". Meanwhile this expression has entered public debate as a household term. America′s increased war rhetoric and it′s blunt ambitions to oust Saddam Hussein and finally settle Bushs´ unfinished family business raised open criticism not only in the Islamic world but also among NATO allies. Many conceive this term as inopportune, misleading, ideologically biased and even insulting. Despite widespread resentment, the United States is currently assessing its opportunities to stage a full-scale war against Iraq within the next months and is campaigning for diplomatic and if possible military support in the Middle East, Europe, Russia and China. British Prime Minister Tony Blair has already declared his support for American war plans. The strong stance of the White House was recently underlined by statements of Vice President Cheney and Minister of Defence Rumsfeld who announced that the United States is able and willing to rely on its own strength and act unilaterally if an international alliance against Saddam Hussein cannot be materialized. Against this background, it is likely that we soon will witness full media coverage of a new Gulf War and CNN footage of American soldiers operating in the Persian Gulf. It would be naive and inept to expect that the ousting of Saddam Hussein′s regime is an easy and bloodless task and could automatically bring long-term stability to the region. Although, most TV channels and newspapers will provide us anew with a version of a modern high-tech war absent of bloodshed and human suffering.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. The Political and Historical Making of the Modern Iraqi State
- 3. Chronology of U.S.-Iraqi Foreign Relations
- 4. Conclusion - The Shipwreck of U.S. Foreign Policy toward Iraq
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This research paper aims to provide a historical overview of U.S.-Iraqi relations prior to the Gulf War, challenging the simplistic narrative of inherent antagonism between the two nations. It contextualizes the contemporary conflict within a broader historical framework, examining the complexities of the relationship and the role of U.S. policy in shaping it.
- The historical development of the Iraqi state and its regional role.
- The evolution of U.S.-Iraqi relations from the Ba'ath revolution to the Gulf War.
- The impact of U.S. foreign policy on Iraq's political and economic landscape.
- The complexities and contradictions in the U.S.'s engagement with the Iraqi regime.
- Analysis of the "Iraqgate" scandal and its implications.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage by discussing the post-9/11 context and the Bush administration's "Axis of Evil" rhetoric, emphasizing the increased war rhetoric against Iraq. The chapter contrasts the prevailing narrative of inherent antagonism between the U.S. and Iraq with the historical reality of past U.S. cooperation with the Iraqi regime, particularly during the Reagan and early Bush administrations. It highlights the significance of understanding this past cooperation to accurately analyze the present conflict and challenges the simplistic "good versus evil" framing frequently employed in contemporary political discourse. The introduction emphasizes the need for a historical context to accurately assess the current situation, promising a deeper dive into the past relationship between the U.S. and Iraq prior to the Gulf War. The author explicitly avoids prediction and instead promises an analysis grounded in past events.
2. The Political and Historical Making of the Modern Iraqi State: This chapter provides a historical overview of Iraq, tracing its origins from ancient Mesopotamia to the rise of Saddam Hussein's presidency. It covers the diverse cultures and empires that shaped the region, including the influence of Islam and the Ottoman Empire. The chapter lays the groundwork for understanding Iraq's unique historical position in the Middle East and how its complex past has contributed to the nation's political trajectory and its interactions with other world powers. It touches upon Iraq’s potential for regional leadership, mentioning oil interests and the case of Kuwait, as well as the adoption of Ba'athism as the state ideology in 1968. This section offers essential background information necessary for analyzing the complex relationship between the United States and Iraq.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
U.S. foreign policy, Iraq, Saddam Hussein, Gulf War, Ba'athism, historical relations, "Iraqgate," Axis of Evil, Middle East politics, international relations.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this research paper?
This research paper provides a historical overview of U.S.-Iraqi relations before the Gulf War, challenging simplistic narratives of inherent antagonism and contextualizing the conflict within a broader historical framework. It examines the complexities of the relationship and the impact of U.S. policy.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the historical development of the Iraqi state and its regional role; the evolution of U.S.-Iraqi relations from the Ba'ath revolution to the Gulf War; the impact of U.S. foreign policy on Iraq's political and economic landscape; the complexities and contradictions in U.S. engagement with the Iraqi regime; and an analysis of the "Iraqgate" scandal and its implications.
What is covered in the Introduction chapter?
The introduction sets the stage by discussing the post-9/11 context and the Bush administration's "Axis of Evil" rhetoric. It contrasts the prevailing narrative of inherent antagonism with past U.S. cooperation with the Iraqi regime, highlighting the need for a historical context to accurately assess the current situation and avoiding predictive analysis.
What does the chapter on the "Political and Historical Making of the Modern Iraqi State" cover?
This chapter provides a historical overview of Iraq, tracing its origins from ancient Mesopotamia to Saddam Hussein's presidency. It covers diverse cultures and empires that shaped the region, explaining Iraq's unique historical position and how its past contributed to its political trajectory and interactions with other world powers. It also touches upon Iraq’s potential for regional leadership, oil interests, and the adoption of Ba'athism.
What are the chapter summaries included in this preview?
The preview includes summaries for the Introduction and the chapter on the political and historical making of the modern Iraqi state. It indicates that further chapter summaries are available in the complete work.
What are the keywords associated with this research paper?
Keywords include U.S. foreign policy, Iraq, Saddam Hussein, Gulf War, Ba'athism, historical relations, "Iraqgate," Axis of Evil, Middle East politics, and international relations.
What is the overall objective of this research?
The research aims to provide a nuanced historical overview, challenging the simplistic narrative of inherent antagonism between the U.S. and Iraq and emphasizing the complexities of their relationship shaped by U.S. policy.
What is included in the Table of Contents?
The table of contents includes an introduction, a chapter on the political and historical making of the modern Iraqi state, a chronology of U.S.-Iraqi foreign relations, and a conclusion on the shipwreck of U.S. foreign policy toward Iraq.
- Quote paper
- Simon Drexler (Author), 2002, Foreign Relations between the United States and Iraq, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/9197
