Soviet-Iraqi Relations, 1968-1988: In The Shadow Of The Iraq-Iran Conflict

Iraq was never quite comfortable with its strategic alliance with the Soviet Union, nor was Moscow sure that it could manage its relations with Baghdad in light of competing interests in the region. This workmanlike review of two decades of Soviet-Iraqi relations helps to account for the ups and downs of relations, placing special emphasis on Iraq's need for arms in its periodic conflicts with Iran. The going is often slow, but the research is impressive and the conclusions are sensible.