ABSTRACT
After the 1958 revolt it seemed certain to some Western observers that Baghdad would turn towards Cairo. But a few months later the leaders of the pan-Arab movement in Iraq were either behind lock and key or under police supervision at home; Kassem had deprived them of all power and influence. After the Kirkuk incidents Kassem changed his line. The Communists fell into disgrace. Kassem began to describe them as ‘anarchists’ and pushed them slowly out of the positions they had occupied. The failure of the Communists was undoubtedly due to their miscalculation of the situation as well as to Kassem’s personality and intentions. It was also the result of ideological differences inside the party, reflecting old and new controversies in Moscow. The government never gave the Communist party a licence. As with the Moslem party and the Kurdish party it demanded changes in the party programme.
