Customer Reviews

Iraq: In the Eye of the Storm

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This is a marvellous read, a meaty and elegant introduction to Iraq, its politics and people told by a seasoned, trustworthy observer, whose earlier book on the Iran-Iraq war is a classic. It's a travelogue through a devastated Iraq punished by UN sanctions and intimidated by Saddam's terrifying dictatorship; a vibrant detour through Iraqi history ancient and modern; and a devastating critique of US realpolitik in the region, in which the reader comes away with the impression that Bush's plan to invade Iraq in early 2003 could have the same devastating and traumatic impact that the events of 1948 have had on the region. YOu want a clash of civilizations? Well, that's what we're going to get if Bush has his way, the author suggests. Thank God Dilip Hiro is sounding the alarm bell in his passionate and vigorous prose.
There's something for everything here, for the general reader and the actvist; but the questions at the back of the book -- Frequently and Infrequently Asked Questions about Iraq-- are, I think, an enormously useful primer for anti-war activists who want to prevent Bush and Blair taking us headlong to Armageddon.

Dilip Hiro has been following events in Iraq for a long time, and has written numerous volumes on the subject including what might the most comprehensive volume on the history of the Iran - Iraq war. It is important to note this, not only because this author deserves praise, but because it gives him authority in evaluting the circumstances that might or might not have warranted military intervention in Iraq in 2003. It is very clear that Hiro believes that the War in Iraq should have remained an unthinkable prospect, the sanctions had more than demoralized and eroded the potential educated middle classes that could have eventually supplied a new regime in Iraq. Meanwhile, the very same sanctions only strengthened the regime of Saddam Hussein, by making it more invaluable to the everyday survival of ordinary Iraqis who were dependent on it to guarantee the measn of everyday survival. I found this point to be especially importnat, as I lived in Libya at the height of the UN and International Sanctions and fully agree that in dictatorial regimes, the small ruling elite benefits while ordinary people that have done absolutely nothing to earn their country a pariah reputation suffer. Although the war has begun (and prematurely declared won) - who knows when and how it will really end - the book is still important to read. It's short and informative and worth well beyond the current price. As Dilip Hiro admits, the book is not meant to be a comprehesive history of modern Iraq; indeed, it is more a history of Iraq from the 1990-91 Gulf War and the unstable period of the sanctions. For those readers that would like to understand the circumstances and processes that led to the emergence of the Baáth party in Iraq and Saddam Hussein I recommed "Iraq since 1958" by Peter and Marion-Farouk Sluglett.

To fully understand the conflict in Iraq, this book is a must. And while the eye of the storm might not seem as threatening now, reading Hiro shows us that the roots of the conflict in Iraq are far more complicated than one would think. Simply because Baghdad has fallen, the war isn't over, and Hiro's expert analysis shows us that the U.S. is in for something much more than it has bargained for.

The complexity of Iraq is not to be ignored, especially at the time of its conquest, and this books presents the details that matter. The daily life in Iraq and the people who make up the concurred are going to affect what happens today, and Hiro shows us that the long range implications of a war on Iraq, which had yet to occur when this book was written, are real. When Hiro speaks, we should listen; perhaps now more than ever.

Dilip Hiro provides needed common sense on the subject of Iraq and the prospect of conflict. Whereas Bush along with Rumsfeld and a team of advisers all notable for failing to serve in Vietnam arouse sentiment toward war, Hiro calmly and persuasively provides an alternative view replete with historical examples concerning Iraq's complex history.

In the fashion of many international scholars, as well as American activists such as Ramsey Clark and Noam Chomsky, Hiro points out the inherent dangers of attacking Iraq to supplant the leadership of ruthless strongman Saddam Hussein. The important issue he constantly raises is the disruption of any semblance of stability throughout the Middle East. Anti-Americanism cannot help but rise to precipitous levels in view of both our past and current policies toward Iraq. Some one million lives of innocent citizens have been lost as a result of sanctions against Iraq.

In examining past policies toward Iraq Hiro squarely confronts the double standard question. While Bush's father as Commander and Chief of the U.S. during the 1991 Gulf War referred to Saddam Hussein at one point as worse than Adolf Hitler, Bush had previously sent an array of weapons there, including the components of chemical weaponry used against Iran in another terrible application of the infamous "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" syndrome. So Saddam jumped from ally of sorts status to worse than Hitler! This occurred after the Middle East oil supply was jeopardized, certainly no coincidence.

What is currently needed during this potentially turbulent period for the entire world is cool and sober reflection on the consequences of military action and analysis of Iraq's history. Hiro thankfully takes this necessary approach, which enhances understanding of the broad picture.

If you want to understand the historical background of the war against Iraq by reading a simply written book, this is the one. It will give you an idea not only about about the ongoing war, but also about the US Middle East policy in the past and today. It provides alot of historical details about the confrontation between the US and Iraq. Especially, the question-answer chapter of the book in the end helps to to review all the things you read in the book.
However, it has some shortcomings: Certain chapters are longer than they really need to be. Many small details could have been avoided, especially in sections about UN inspections. On the other side, it does not provide enough information in certain sections such as Saddam's relations with CIA when he was in exile, how the Kurds were being manipulated and betrayed by great powers so many times, the role the West played in Saddam's decision to attack Iran, and how Saddam was provoked by Quwait before the invasion and how Saddam got the idea that the US would stay neutral against Iraq in the case of an Iraqi invasion of Quwait.

A good book to read.. I strongly recommend.

Here is a book that certainly has an anti war / anti Bush administration slant. I bought the book because of the coverage it provided on what it is like actually living in Iraq today. That section of the book was an eye opener. No matter who is to blame for the current state of affairs, Saddam, the UN or the US, it is the average Joe of Iraq that is bearing the brunt of the sanctions. We all know that the sanctions were met to hurt Iraq enough so that the population would either rise up and over throw Saddam or that Saddam would do anything and everything the UN / US told him to do. Unfortunately, that did not happen. What happened is that Saddam stayed in power, the world got its oil, the UN got funding for a never ending inspection program, and the average Iraq got the shaft. Increased to third world standards of child and elderly death rates, massive reduction in public services (i.e. clean water, electric power), an almost eliminated education system, and an economy that is moving backwards daily. It makes you wonder how other sanction programs have worked.

The rest of the book gives a brief history of Iraq and Saddam, basic info that can be found in many other sources. The author then details out what would probably be considered a Middle Eastern view of the UN inspections program. Is the detail wrong, judging from other sources I have read I do not think so. For every issue there are always two sides and this author has tried to find the truth in the middle. The only issue I would have is that he seamed to spend more time detailing the bad policies of US Presidents and not a lot of time talking about the horrible things Saddam has done. Even if everything detailed in the book is true, because of this perceived one-sideness, it tends to leave the reader with the impression of a bias with the author. Overall I did enjoy the book and learned a good deal. I really liked the question and answer section in the back of the book. It just seamed to me that the average pro Bush reader is going to believe the author is a shill for Saddam and denounce the full book and not just the sections of bias.

I am not entirely finished reading this book as of today, but I have to comment on it.
This book is a very sobering and outstanding account of the reality of life in Iraq and how it has dealt with 12 years of crippling sanctions, and American subterfuge and duplicity. It is also a good and fair account of the personality of Saddam Hussein and his regime without the spin and distortion of the U.S. controlled media. Saddam Hussein has demonized himself very well. No further lies and exaggerations on the part of the U.S. government and media should be necessary. But Saddam's behavior does not in any way excuse the U.S. government from acting in dishonorable ways, especially considering the fact that the U.S. government aided and abetted Saddam Hussein when he committed his worst atrocities in the past.
This book presents the dynamics of the UN inspections in Iraq and the shameful behavior of the U.S. government which during the whole time tried to undermine the entire process in hopes of regime change. That the U.S. has since 1991 used the sanctions to overthrown Saddam Hussein by deliberately choking the Iraqi people until they rebel against their government is no big surprise.
Saddam Hussein might of been unccoperative at times with the UN inspectors and played the "cheat and retreat" game, but it is not an overstatement that a lot of this was due to U.S. government subterfuge, spying and altering of the UN resolutions in order to keep the sanctions in place.
As of right now, no weapons of mass destruction have been found in Iraq. The American public has been simply lied to by a venal government.
If more Americans would be exposed to the facts contained in this book, perhaps this country would be better off today.

Hiro's book is a gem.Filled with interesting facts,information:it is a brilliant narration of events leading up to Anglo American invasion of Iraq.

After Iraqi forces were evicted from Quwait, UN Securtiy Council drafted Resolution 687 under chapter 7 of UN charter which was adopted on Apr 3,1991 .It imposed embargo on the sale of essential food,civilian items and froze Iraq's foreign assests.Lifting of sanctions depended upon Iraq's complete disarmament.This was to be implemented by Vienna-based IAEA and newly established UNSCOM[UN Special Commission]

But author shows UNSCOM's mission in Iraq was a charade.UNSCOM was suborned by Americans to serve their interests.It had nothing to do with enforcing Baghdad's disarmament.Richard Butler,the Australian diplomat,heading UNSCOM seved as an American lackey.Acting under Washington's instructions he started making outrageous demands which were impossible to fulfill.Consequently sanctions dragged on an on.

Pentagon strategists want to make the life ordinary Iraqi miserable. In other words,US hoped to foment an uprising to effect a regime change.But the plan flopped.Besides Anglo-American duo ,using UN as a cover,were engaged in a game of espionage and subversion. Yhey did this by infiltrating UNSCOM; planting intelligence agents,technicians who apart from being specialistsin covert operations could intercept microwave transmissions used by Iraqi military for secret communications.Pentagon
was desperately seeking a casus belli to bomb Iraq.

Subsequently Clinton administration intiated 100 hr non stop bombardment :Operation Desert Fox.This irretrievably damaged the reputation of UNSCOM.Incensed by bombing Saddam stopped supplying oil to the US companies.This came at a time when Iraq emerged as biggest source petroleum imports for US.When 2000 began booming world demand for oil along with tight market had a positive impact upon Baghdad's political ,economic standing.

Sadaam growing in confidence chose to destabilise oil market by curtailing output. Iraq's petroleum minister ,reflecting Baathist thinking,said Baghdad would defer plans to increase output if US continues tom block contracts for food, infrastructure,medicine under UN 661 sanctions committee. There was panic in White House.On Sep 22,2000Clinton administration released 1 million bpd form US strategic petrloeum reserve which was unprecedented move during peace time. This was the oil market which Bush Jr inherited when he becme President.

So Sadaam started wielding oil weapon ,and he had to stopped at all costs which set the prelude to second Gulf War.

This book fast-paced,racy,engrossing.Deserves to read by those who want to know what made Bush and Blair to invade Iraq.

I recommend this to augment the LIES in the US media. You have to know what came before all the current nonsense. This book will go beyond the evening news.

Every day this book becomes more indipensable..
It is a truthful and well-documented study of the history - up to today - of Iraq in the world. Iraq and the Arab world and Iraq in America's world programme of domination and control.
Helpfully, it is also very readable.