The Iran-Iraq War
Anthony H. Cordesman
Jane’s
After nearly seven years of bitter fighting, what do we know of the progress or possible resolution of the Iran-Iraq War? For one thing is certain, the Gulf War is of vital importance to Western security. Restrictions placed on reporting the war have been severe and as a result such reports as we have had have often been conflicting about everything from the number of casualties and wounded, to forces engaged and in what configuration, to the ‘winners’ or ‘losers’ of battles. The crucial task of making an assessment of the eventual outcome has been difficult if not impossible given the scanty, false and contradictory information available.
With The Iran-Iraq War and Western Security 1984-87 Anthony Cordesman has written the only book which provides: sophisticated analysis of military' strengths and weaknesses of both sides; the latest information on the equipment each side possesses and what use they make of it; detailed examination of major battles and offensives; a thorough, professional study of the economic realities facing both countries given their reduced oil-exporting abilities; lucid insights into both the social and political factors which affect, and may eventually determine, what happens to Saddam Hussein’s Ba’ath Party’s rule and Ayatollah Khomeini’s revolutionary' government.
The Iran-Iraq War can be viewed at many different levels; as a human tragedy, as a threat to the security of southwest Asia, as a threat to the world’s main supply of imported oil, and as the source of new lessons regarding the nature of modern war. All of these issues are addressed in a crisp, informed and professional manner in this timely and important book by a man who understands military exigencies, strategic realities, the politics of oil and the growing threat this continuing war presents to the West.
Anthony Cordesman uses all the facts and figures available to make his own predictions not only on the possible outcome of the war, but also on what are the likely arms requirements of Iran and Iraq and how these will affect each side’s ability to conclude, if not win, this devastating and crucially important war.
Anthony H Cordesman is an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University and Vice President of the Systems Development and Research Corporation based in Arlington, Virginia. He directs risk analysis, strategic studies and defence research activities. His principal areas of research include analysis of Gulf security issues, the political and military situation in the Middle East, defence market forecasting and strategic planning. Professor Cordesman has served in senior posts in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the State Department and the Department of Energy.
Having travelled and worked extensively in the Middle East, the Gulf, Southwest Asia and Europe, Professor Cordesman is the author of many papers and several books, among them The Gulf and Strategic Stability (generally considered a key reference work in the field), Western Strategic Interests in Saudi Arabia, The Arab-Israeli Military Balance and The Art of Operations, Imbalance of Power, Extended Deterrence, Jordan and the Middle East and the forthcoming NATO's Central Region Forces. | 
