ABSTRACT
From looking at Iraq's past relations with the superpowers, it is clear that although Baghdad has had close links with Moscow since the late 1950s, the Soviets have often undertaken foreign policy actions that displeased or actually harmed Iraq. If Iraq collapses first and Tehran can take advantage of the situation to promote a Shi'a Islamic fundamentalist group to power in Baghdad, Iraq's future relations with the two superpowers would depend on Iran's relations with them. If there were a change of regime in Iran, Iraqi-Iranian hostility could also decline; but nonetheless, if one superpower had stronger ties with Iran, Iraq would still find it prudent to seek the support of the other. Iran would be the dominant power and neither superpower would have much influence in Baghdad. A new Ba'th or military government would probably continue on the same foreign policy course toward both the superpowers; it would have little incentive to give up its ties to either.
