Kanttekeningen

Iran-Irak: een schaakspel

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Abstract

Iran - Irak ; a game of chess - During and immediately after the cold war period regional conflicts tended to be seen as a direct result of the supposed drive of the Soviet Union against the Free World, provoking the threat of a global clash. In the seventies the military and diplomatic capacities of the Soviet Union undoubtedly gained force, while the Western World under the hegemony of the United States tried in vain to consolidate the status quo. Regional conflicts, especially in the period of detente, where not interpreted as a direct danger for world peace, but analysis of the world theatre remained firmly based on overall strategic issues. The fall of the Shah and the outbreak of the war between Iran and Irak raised many questions as to whether this model of a displaced battlefield was still useful. Certainly, the advent of ayatollah Khomeiny meant a serious setback to the position of Washington in the Middle East. Although this was not directly translated into a considerable gain in Soviet influence, there is no doubt that both superpowers tried to exploit the situation once the war had broken out, as well as the European states and Israel, each trying to promote their national interests. This regional mishmash, assuming worldwide dimensions, does not seem to fit into any former model. Notwithstanding international involvements and manoeuvres, the war can only be understood in national terms. All external powers seem to ride on the back of the tiger, unable to give shape to the final outcome. It lodes as if Third World countries after decades of dependency are increasingly able to manipulate East-West contradictions for their own benefit.

How to Cite:

Doom, R., (1988) “Iran-Irak: een schaakspel”, Tijdschrift voor Sociale Wetenschappen 33(2), 168–180. doi: https://doi.org/10.21825/tvsw.94981