Slaughter On The Tigris: The 1982-88 Iran-Iraq Conflict And Its Legacy

For seven years, the plains and marshes around Basra became the crucible of one of the 20th century's most devastating conflicts-the Iran Iraq War. Characterized by brutal, bloody battles and staggering casualties. What began as a bold Iranian counter-offensive evolved into relentless attempts to breach Iraq's fortified defenses around Basra. These offensives failed, leading to Iraq's decisive 1988 counteroffensive that forced Iran into a reluctant peace. But victory came at a cost. Saddam Hussein's overreach into Kuwait just a few years later reversed Iraq's gains and set the stage for the enduring Middle Eastern crises of today. Intriguingly, the technological seeds of modern drone warfare-for example the technology used against Israel and Ukraine-can be traced back to this war. Drawing on newly available sources from both Iran and Iraq, alongside declassified CIA reports, this book offers a balanced and comprehensive account of the Iran Iraq War. With vivid narratives of the battles, strategic insights, and exploration of its far-reaching consequences, this is a definitive chronicle of a war that reshaped the Middle East and the art of warfare itself. AUTHOR: E. R. Hooton is a retired defense journalist and a member of the British Commission for Military History. He has written numerous articles and books.