124. Saddam Hussein vs The Ayatollah

This podcast episode of "Empire" focuses on the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), exploring its causes, key events, and lasting consequences. The co-hosts discuss the political and ideological backgrounds of both Saddam Hussein's Iraq and the post-revolutionary Iran, highlighting the role of the Ba'ath Party and the Ayatollah Khomeini. The discussion covers the war's brutal tactics, including the use of chemical weapons by Iraq and human wave attacks by Iran, and the significant involvement of various international actors. The episode concludes by noting the war's devastating economic impact on both countries and its unexpected contribution to the rise of Shia power in the region following the later US invasion of Iraq. A specific example discussed is the use of chemical weapons, such as mustard gas and sarin, resulting in tens of thousands of casualties.