US II: Iran Hostage Crisis (1979) Iran-Iraq War ( ) Iran-Contra Affair (1980s-Reagan) Iran-Contra Affair (1980s-Reagan) First Gulf War ( Iraq invades Kuwait; Operation Desert Shield/Storm) War on Terrorism (2002 Afghanistan) War in Iraq/ Afghanistan (2003-present) (2003-present)

1979 Iran Hostage Crisis US supports Shah (ally vs SU comm/oil access) US supports Shah (ally vs SU comm/oil access) 1979 Ayotallah Khomeini leads Iranian Revolution 1979 Ayotallah Khomeini leads Iranian Revolution Carter lets Shah enter US for cancer Carter lets Shah enter US for cancer 11/4/79 seize US Embassy in Tehran-52 US hostages 11/4/79 seize US Embassy in Tehran-52 US hostages

Iran-Iraq War Iraq invades Iran 9/22/80 over border dispute Iraq invades Iran 9/22/80 over border dispute Khomeini to spread Islam rev.- despised Iraq’s Ba’ath (Sunni) oppressed Shiites (Iran) will overthrow Hussein? Khomeini to spread Islam rev.- despised Iraq’s Ba’ath (Sunni) oppressed Shiites (Iran) will overthrow Hussein? Hussein felt Iran Sunnis would join Iraq vs Shia in Iran Hussein felt Iran Sunnis would join Iraq vs Shia in Iran

Iran-Iraq War ( ) Nationalism prevailed Nationalism prevailed US provides bio/chem weapons and tech to Iraq US provides bio/chem weapons and tech to Iraq Iran supporters include People’s Republic of China, Syria, Libya, North Korea. Iran supporters include People’s Republic of China, Syria, Libya, North Korea.

Iran-Iraq War Iran acquires weapons and parts for Shah-era US systems through Iran- Contra Affair first through Israel then directly through US Iran acquires weapons and parts for Shah-era US systems through Iran- Contra Affair first through Israel then directly through US

Iran-Contra Affair 30 hostages had been taken by Hezbollah demanding release of Al-Dawa members (pro-Iranian militant org) imprisoned for series of truck bombs in Kuwait. 30 hostages had been taken by Hezbollah demanding release of Al-Dawa members (pro-Iranian militant org) imprisoned for series of truck bombs in Kuwait. US hoped Iran would persuade Hezbollah to release 6 US hostages held in Lebanon in return for arms. US hoped Iran would persuade Hezbollah to release 6 US hostages held in Lebanon in return for arms.

Iran-Contra Scandal Reagan authorized arms to Iran to improve relations, not in exchange for hostages. Reagan authorized arms to Iran to improve relations, not in exchange for hostages. NS Advisor Poindexter and aide Oliver North propose direct sale to Iran at markup prices with $$ sent to Contras (backed by CIA to fight Sandinista comm in civil war) NS Advisor Poindexter and aide Oliver North propose direct sale to Iran at markup prices with $$ sent to Contras (backed by CIA to fight Sandinista comm in civil war) Sale of weapons to Iran and Contra funding both violated US Boland Amendment Sale of weapons to Iran and Contra funding both violated US Boland Amendment

Boland Amendment Signed by Reagan on 12/21/82. Signed by Reagan on 12/21/82. Prohibits US gov military support to overthrow Nicaragua Govt. and bans appropriated CIA funding Prohibits US gov military support to overthrow Nicaragua Govt. and bans appropriated CIA funding Seen as unconstitutional interference w/ PR foreign policy Seen as unconstitutional interference w/ PR foreign policy Reagan’s admin used non- appropriated NSC $ to circumvent Reagan’s admin used non- appropriated NSC $ to circumvent Congress later repealed Boland, funds contras—Sandinistas voted out in ‘90 Congress later repealed Boland, funds contras—Sandinistas voted out in ‘90

US Atty Gen Edwin Meese admits profits from arms sales to Iran funded Contras (11/25/86) US Atty Gen Edwin Meese admits profits from arms sales to Iran funded Contras (11/25/86) NSC John Poindexter resigns NSC John Poindexter resigns NSC aide Oliver North fired NSC aide Oliver North fired 12/1/86 Reagan appoints Tower Commission (former Senator Tower, Sec of State Muskie, NSA Scowcroft) 12/1/86 Reagan appoints Tower Commission (former Senator Tower, Sec of State Muskie, NSA Scowcroft)

12/2/86 Reagan answers Tower Comm w/ poor memory 12/2/86 Reagan answers Tower Comm w/ poor memory 2/26/87 Tower Report implicates North, Poindexter, Weinberger et al. 2/26/87 Tower Report implicates North, Poindexter, Weinberger et al. PR Reagan had no knowledge- should have had better control over NSC staff PR Reagan had no knowledge- should have had better control over NSC staff Congress report 11/18/87 PR bore “ultimate responsibility” Congress report 11/18/87 PR bore “ultimate responsibility”

Defense Secretary Casper Weinberger indicted for lying to Ind. Counsel (’87); pardoned by PR George HW Bush Defense Secretary Casper Weinberger indicted for lying to Ind. Counsel (’87); pardoned by PR George HW Bush John Tower nominated as Sec of Defense by PR Bush but not confirmed John Tower nominated as Sec of Defense by PR Bush but not confirmed Scowcroft named NSA Scowcroft named NSA

’88 North indicted 12 counts ’88 North indicted 12 counts -guilty of 3 minor – overturn on appeal (5 th amend violated-cong. testimony under immunity used against him) -guilty of 3 minor – overturn on appeal (5 th amend violated-cong. testimony under immunity used against him) ’90 Poindexter convicted on felony counts lying to Congress, obstruct. of justice, conspiracy, and altering/destroying documents - overturned on appeal Not retried by IC Larry Walsh

Contra-drug links Sen John Kerry suspicious of North’s connection w/ Manuel Noriega (Panama drug baron who previously worked for CIA ) Sen John Kerry suspicious of North’s connection w/ Manuel Noriega (Panama drug baron who previously worked for CIA ) Gary Webb “Dark Alliance” in 8/96 alleges cocaine dist. in US in 80s funded CIA-support of Contras. Gary Webb “Dark Alliance” in 8/96 alleges cocaine dist. in US in 80s funded CIA-support of Contras. Later disputed and denounced Later disputed and denounced Webb dead on 12/10/04 – 2 bullets to back of head deemed suicide (depression) Webb dead on 12/10/04 – 2 bullets to back of head deemed suicide (depression)

Significance of Iran-Contra Affair PR foreign policy authority vs Congress and its laws: PR foreign policy authority vs Congress and its laws: PR approval of foreign arms sales w/o Congressional approval? PR approval of foreign arms sales w/o Congressional approval? What info does PR provide Congress and when? What info does PR provide Congress and when? PR info to American people re: foreign policy deceptive for nat’l security? PR info to American people re: foreign policy deceptive for nat’l security? Does Foreign policy funding need Congressional approval? Does Foreign policy funding need Congressional approval?

Significance of Iran-Iraq War Disastrous to both economies; disrupts oil exports Disastrous to both economies; disrupts oil exports Cost Iran 1.5 mil casualties and $350 billion – border remains. Cost Iran 1.5 mil casualties and $350 billion – border remains. Iran resents US helping Saddam & lack of punishment re chemical weapons vs. Iran, esp. since US opposed Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990 & later removed Saddam Iran resents US helping Saddam & lack of punishment re chemical weapons vs. Iran, esp. since US opposed Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990 & later removed Saddam

Significance of Iran-Iraq War Iran PR Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and most of cabinet are veterans of war. Iran PR Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and most of cabinet are veterans of war. Iraq owes Kuwait $14 Billion Iraq owes Kuwait $14 Billion Leads to Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in August 1990 (along w/ suspicion of Kuwait “slant- drilling” into Iraq for oil) Leads to Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in August 1990 (along w/ suspicion of Kuwait “slant- drilling” into Iraq for oil)

1991 Gulf War Aka: Persian Gulf War, Operation Desert Shield (protect Saudi Arabia) and Operation Desert Storm (liberate Kuwait) Aka: Persian Gulf War, Operation Desert Shield (protect Saudi Arabia) and Operation Desert Storm (liberate Kuwait) UN imposes sanctions vs. Iraq UN imposes sanctions vs. Iraq US led coalition of 30 nations US led coalition of 30 nations “No Blood for Oil” protest – never reaches level of anti-Vietnam protests “No Blood for Oil” protest – never reaches level of anti-Vietnam protests

1/12/91 US Congress authorizes military force to drive Iraq out of Kuwait 1/12/91 US Congress authorizes military force to drive Iraq out of Kuwait Operation Desert Storm: massive air campaign – 1000 sorties launched daily Operation Desert Storm: massive air campaign – 1000 sorties launched daily Hussein: “Mother of all battles” Hussein: “Mother of all battles” Airfields/defenses, communication and command facilities, and finally infrastructure targeted (Scud launchers, WMD sites, weapons research facilities, naval forces) Airfields/defenses, communication and command facilities, and finally infrastructure targeted (Scud launchers, WMD sites, weapons research facilities, naval forces) 1991 Gulf War

2/24/91 US led ground campaign (Op Desert Sabre) 2/24/91 US led ground campaign (Op Desert Sabre) 2/26/91 Iraqi troops begin retreat, setting Kuwaiti oil fields on fire 2/26/91 Iraqi troops begin retreat, setting Kuwaiti oil fields on fire 2/28/91 PR Bush declares ceasefire; Kuwait liberated. 2/28/91 PR Bush declares ceasefire; Kuwait liberated.

1991 Gulf War Criticism: allowed Saddam to remain in power Criticism: allowed Saddam to remain in power Scowcroft and Sec of Def Dick Cheney: invading Baghdad and overthrowing gov’t would fracture alliance, cost too much in human/ political capital (only 146 Americans died in Operation Desert Storm) Scowcroft and Sec of Def Dick Cheney: invading Baghdad and overthrowing gov’t would fracture alliance, cost too much in human/ political capital (only 146 Americans died in Operation Desert Storm) Hoped for Iraqi revolt, but Hussein defeated coup attempts Hoped for Iraqi revolt, but Hussein defeated coup attempts 3/10/91 US troops leave Persian Gulf 3/10/91 US troops leave Persian Gulf

War on Terrorism (2002) and Iraq (2003) Afghanistan: Taliban targeted after 9/11 Afghanistan: Taliban targeted after 9/11 Iraq becomes target leading to March 2003 Invasion of Iraq (WMD) Iraq becomes target leading to March 2003 Invasion of Iraq (WMD) Revival of Islamic extremism (1979) Revival of Islamic extremism (1979)

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