The volume analyzes the political and economic effects of the Iran-Iraq war upon Iraq, focusing on whether the war has united Iraqi society in a way that has not happened since the country was established in 1920. It opens with an examination of Iraqi political development and U.S. policy toward Iraq. Following is a discussion of the various means of political consolidation of Iraq. The next chapter investigates the growth of Iraqi foreign policy in relation to both the Arab state and the superpowers. The book also predicts the country's ability to hold together under current military and economic pressure. Finally, the author discusses the future of U.S. policy toward Iraq. Policy makers, policy analysts, and scholars in Middle East studies will find this volume to be timely, well reasoned, and informative.