Strategic and Operational Implications of Iranian Military Operations in the Iran-Iraq War

<p>The progress of the Iran-Iraq War has surprised analysts. In order of gain insight into events in the region and their implications I propose an analytical framework using Carl Von Clausewitz and Martin Van Creveld which is used to analyze the military worth of the Islamic Iranian Army. The thesis has three logical steps leading to the eventual conclusion. First the Imperial Iranian Armed Forces were fundamentally flawed. From its inception under Reza Shah the people army government trinity had fatal cracks throughout. Muhammed Reza Pahlavi attempting to build on the same structure increased the pressure on the people army government trinity resulting in a collapse. The weaknesses of this trinity was demonstrated by the patent inability of the army to defeat the revolution in spite or even because of the lavish augmentation of equ1pnient. Second the Islamic Iranian army proved to have remarkable power and resilience in the Iran-Iraq War. Surprised by a powerful invader hampered by desertion eroding equipment and unreliable logistics the Iranian Armed Forces resisted the attack and went on the offensive. Actions were characterized by courage and fighting power excellent staff work and operational level planning. Third the change in the Armed Forces was causally linked to the impact of the Islamic Revolution on the people army government trinity. The strong bond between Khomeini and the people and the new army legitimacy and ethic had a multiplicative effect on the military capability of the army.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p><br>