Iraq After Seven Years of War, by Jean Gueyras The war against Iran, started a little imprudently by President Saddam Hussein in September 1980, has compromised Iraq's political and economie future, as well as his own position at the head of the State. The Iraqian President dreamed of turning his country into the Gulfs main power. He is now dépendent upon foreign countries, who provide financial aid and armement necessary to face a war of attrition led by Iran against his regime. This has significantly limited his régional and international ambitions and has established a severe austerity policy to prevent the State's bankruptcy. Internally, he must now consider the army's growing influence, who assumes the heavy burden of defending Iraq's ...