Iran-Contra Affair/ScandalThe Convergence of U.S. Cold War and Middle East Policies

Background: Ronald ReaganVietnam Syndrome is over!USSR is an “Evil Empire”Reagan Doctrine—ROLL BACK, not just contain Soviet influence around globeWhy have we allowed terrorists to hold our citizens over a year

Background: Contras

US has long relationship with the Somoza family of NicaraguaDictatorsFriendly to UFC and anti-communists

Background: ContrasSomozas overthrown by the SandinistasReagan smells a communist rat!1981: Approves CIA program:

Helps create a counter-revolutionary, para-military organization: THE CONTRAS19 million$Honduran training camp

Background: Contras1984—CIA mines Nicaraguan harborsNic. Goes to International Court of Justice

Wins judgment vs. USUS is guilty of violating the sovereignty of Nic.

Reagan administration refused to recognized the Court’s jurisdiction and ignores the verdict

Background: The Boland Amendment1984: Congress is pressured by international community as well as by growing concern w/in US to pass BolandIt forbids government agencies from supporting “directly or indirectly military or paramilitary operations” in Nic.

Background: Embargo vs. Iran

1980: In response to Iranian Hostage Crisis, US breaks all diplomatic and trade ties w/ IranWeapons and trade embargo—no buying or selling allowed.

Background: Hostages in Lebanon

From 1982-1992: Thirty Americans taken hostages by pro-Iranian, Islamic extremistsReagan: “We do not negotiate with terrorists.”

Two Problems for Reagan.

How to continue to support the Contras in light of Boland?How to free American hostages w/o “negotiating with terrorists”?Iran-Contra is born!

The Flow Chart of Iran-ContraIsrael invades LebanonUS sends Marines into LebanonUS hostages are taken in the Middle East, especially LebanonUS (through ISRAEL) sell arms to Iran (vs. Iraq 1980-88)Profits from arms sales DIVERTED to ContrasIran paid, Iran negotiates hostages’ release and then more hostages taken