Iranian-Iraqi Antagonisms; Source for US-USSR Confrontation.
Abstract
This paper through documentary research and analysis, evaluates the risk of a US-USSR confrontation over the control of the Persian Gulf as a result of client state sponsorship; Iran by the United States and Iraq by the Soviet Union. Primary super power objectives considered are Soviet Union attainment of area hegemony, and United States support of stability and assurance of a free oil flow to the West. Several Iraqi-Iranian issues are identified as potentially explosive, e.g., differences over control of territories within the littoral, a boundary dispute, the Kurdish problem, conflict in Oman, and religious minorities. Some of the major conclusions reached are: (1) Iranian and Iraqi common interest in reaping oil export profits and Soviet satisfaction with the price dispute between the West and the oil exporters, have temporarily served to calm issues and lessen the chances of a US-USSR confrontation, (2) the client nations would prefer to conduct Gulf affairs without outside influence, (3) no outside power can ensure Gulf stability, (4) continued provisions of sophisticated military equipment to client nations increases the risk of super power confrontation, and (5) skillful United States diplomacy may be needed to avert a future confrontation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 05, 1974
- Accession Number
- ADA005553
Entities
People
- Rovert B. Helmlinger Jr
Organizations
- United States Army War College