The Tarbabies of American Politics

FOR 12 YEARS, two distant, medium-sized, and hitherto not very important states have bedeviled American Presidents. Jimmy Carter had to cope with the fall of the Shah, the U.S. embassy seizure, and Iraq’s attack on Iran. Ronald Reagan had Iran’s attack on Iraq, the Iran/ Contra scandal, and the U.S.S. Stark and Vincennes incidents. George Bush had the October Surprise, the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, “Iraqgate,” and Saddam’s survival in power.

Why Iran and Iraq? And what does the future hold?

About the Author

Daniel Pipes

Daniel Pipes (DanielPipes.org) is president of the Middle East Forum.

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FOR 12 YEARS, two distant, medium-sized, and hitherto not very important states have bedeviled American Presidents. Jimmy Carter had to cope with the fall of the Shah, the U.S. embassy seizure, and Iraq’s attack on Iran. Ronald Reagan had Iran’s attack on Iraq, the Iran/ Contra scandal, and the U.S.S. Stark and Vincennes incidents. George Bush had the October Surprise, the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, “Iraqgate,” and Saddam’s survival in power.

Why Iran and Iraq? And what does the future hold?