161. Iraq Under Sanctions
- Author:
- Volker Perthes
- Publication Date:
- 02-1998
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Chatham House
- Abstract:
- In the early months of 1998, the outlook for relations between Iraq and the West looked distinctly bleak. The crisis over UN inspections of Iraq's potential to create weapons of mass destruction began in November 1997 with the Iraqi government's attempt to control the make-up of the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) inspection teams on the grounds that the Anglo-American components of them were, in effect, spies came to a head in February 1998 when the United States and Britain insisted on full, unrestricted compliance with all UN sanctions under the threat of military action. Even though Iraq reluctantly acquiesced in Western demands, little thought appeared to be given in American and British planning to what the consequence of such action would be on Iraqis themselves and on Iraqi public opinion.
- Topic:
- Diplomacy, International Law, and United Nations
- Political Geography:
- United States, Iraq, and Middle East