Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan

A brief introduction

Iran to 1979

• Shah Pahlavi

• Relations with US / region

Iranian Revolution 1979

• Ayatollah Khomeini

• Islamic fundamentalism

• theocracy

• Hostage Crisis

Iraq to 1980

• 3 main groups– Sunnis

– Shi’as (Shi’ite)

– Kurds

• Ba’ath Party and Saddam Hussein

“Kurdistan”

Iran Iraq War 1980 to 88Causes:

• Religion

• Competition for hegemony

• Competition for resources

• Dispute over waterway

Iran Iraq War

International support

Iran Contra Affair

• What???

• Oliver North

Afghanistan

• Pro Soviet coup and invasion 1978

• Soviet Union’s “Vietnam”

• U.S. support for mujahadin guerilla fighters

Afghanistan under Taliban

• Policies

Gulf War 1991 - Chronology

• August 2, 90 - Iraq invades Kuwait

• Nov, 90 - U.N. Security Council Declaration

• Jan 15, 1991 - Operation Desert Storm

• Jan 18, 1991 - Scuds hit Israel

• Feb 28, 1991 - ceasefire

Issue: What was this war about?

• Oil?

• Stability of region / Turkey?

• Kuwait a province of Iraq?

• Collective Security?

• Refusing to appease a tyrant?

No Fly Zones

Schwartzkopf and Powell

Post 1991 developments

• Growth of fundamentalism

• Al Qaeda and 9/11 attacks

• Bush Doctrine– Afghanistan– Iraq– Iran