ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the final phase of Iran-Iraq relations, beginning with the institution of the revolutionary government in 1979 and ending in the escalation of conflict to war in 1980. This chapter will demonstrate the dramatic shift that occurred in these state’s relations with the elevation of Ayatollah Khomeini as supreme leader, with the emergence of two highly salient issues-the Iranian desire for PanShi′ism in the region, and Iraq concerns for state integrity and survival. The resolution of these issues will be illustrated through examining their foreign policy reciprocity, demonstrating a highly reciprocal and conflictual evolution of relations to the point of war in September 1980. An examination of dynamic power capabilities will then be utilized to highlight the permissive conditions for the continued evolution of their conflictual interactions to war, removing the major constraints that had been evident in earlier periods preventing full-blown fighting.
