Khamsin no.12 (1986): The Gulf War
Editorial
The Iran-Iraq war is the bloodiest and most brutal of all armed conflicts between minor powers since the second world war.
Symposium on the Gulf War: Introductory Statement & Contents
Introductory statement by the Committee for the Defence of the Democratic Rights of the Iranian People, organizers of the daylong symposium on the Iran-Iraq war held in New York on 8 September 1984.
The Gulf War as Extinction of Politics – Muhammad Ja’far [Kanan Makiya]
The Iran-Iraq war is not a colonial war, not an imperialist extension of some great power's zone of influence, nor is it a proxy conflict. It is the Third World's first truly indigenous great war, and this time we have no outsider to blame but ourselves.
Oil, Arms and the Gulf War – Joe Stork
The war simply could not have continued at this level of carnage and destruction for this long without the oil revenues of the protagonists and Iraq's Arab neighbours.
Iranian Intellectuals and Dependency Theory – M. Arman
A critique of the Iranian intellectual left who had their dogmas – particularly those around anti-imperialist struggle – shattered by the events of the revolution; and interesting information about the development of the Iranian socialist movement.
The War and the Islamic State Apparatus in Iran – Ali Ashtiani
The Iranian utilization of the war for 'state-forming' purposes resembles the practice of fascist regimes. Another similarity between fascism and the absolutism of Islamic ideology is the expansionist idea of exporting the Islamic revolution.
International Dimension of the War – R. Keivan
The long-term rewards that the Iraq-Iran war will bring for the US will outweigh any short-term setbacks.
War of the Rentier States – Eqbal Ahmad
This is not an anti imperialist war. This is a war of local ambitions: President Saddam Hussein's opportunism and regional reaction to Iran's revolutionary promise were responsible for Iraq's initial aggression in 1980. And Ayatollah Khomeini has a great deal to do with prolonging the agony.
Arab Nationalism, the Palestinian Struggle and an Economic Scenario for a Potential Arab Unity – ‘Adel Samara
The bourgeois Arab nationalism failed to achieve its avowed aims: economic independence and the liberation of occupied Arab territory. Despite its failures, the Arab bourgeoisie still holds power throughout the Arab homeland, and has intentionally amplified the unevenness of economic development between the Arab countries.
Iran’s incomprehensible revolution – Azar Tabari [Afsaneh Najmabadi]
A critical review of two books on the Iranian revolution: despite theur shortcomings, both books make important contributions to discussions surrounding an understanding of the Iranian revolution – something that still eludes us all.
A history of modern Iran – Azar Tabari [Afsaneh Najmabadi]
Abrahamian's book, which began as a study on the social bases of the communist Tudeh Party, is unique in its detailed and in-depth coverage of a very important period of modern Iranian politics: the social upheaval and political struggles during 1941-1953.
Footnote to the debate on Jewish racism – Moshe Machover
Roberto Sussman fails seriously to come to grips with Israel Shahak's justified, if painful, challenge directed at Jewish socialists: they have been largely silent about Jewish racism and utterly failing to combat it.
Trade unions under occupation – ‘Adel Samara
Book Review: Simon Taggart's little book (79 pages) deserves notice as perhaps the first book dealing with the trade-union movement in the West Bank.
The tortured dilemma – Haim Bresheeth
Review of two books reflecting left-wing zionism's approach to Israel's wars.