ABSTRACT
In this chapter the Iran–Iraq War will be reviewed, focusing on several of its aspects: firstly, the consequences of the War on the armed forces and the process of its Islamisation; secondly, the performance of the armed forces in contrast with the Sepah and the Baseej; and thirdly, the emergence of the new military as a credible political force, particularly in the context of interplay of non-military political groups at the present time and in the foreseeable future. These inquiries will not be conducted in sequential order. Rather, the War will be reviewed in a chronological context and where appropriate, these critical issues will be related to its conduct by the combined forces of the regular Army, the Sepah and the Baseej.
