<2>Why Iran Could Become the Next Iraq
<3>The Aftermath of the First Gulf War
The Iran-Iraq conflict, which lasted from 1980 to 1988, left both countries devastated. However, the first Gulf war of 1990-1991 had a profound impact on the region, particularly in Iraq. The war led to the ousting of Saddam Hussein’s regime, but it also left a power vacuum that was never fully addressed.
The United Nations Security Council Resolution 687, which brought an end to the war, called for the destruction of Iraq’s chemical and biological weapons, as well as its ballistic missile program. However, the resolution also failed to establish a clear political settlement, leaving the country without a strong and stable government.
<3>The Weakened Regime
The aftermath of the first Gulf war left Iraq with a weakened regime, which was unable to provide for the basic needs of its citizens. The country’s economy was in shambles, and its infrastructure was severely damaged. The lack of a strong and stable government created an environment in which extremist groups could flourish.
In the years following the war, Iraq was plagued by sectarian violence, which was fueled by the presence of extremist groups such as al-Qaeda in Iraq