The above question was posed to former Secretary of State Madeline Albright in 1995. Albright answered in the affirmative. The draconian sanctions placed on Iraq began in 1990 and ended in 2003. Previous famines in Iraq were due to political struggles and military campaigns, which led to the siege of various cities. The relations between the United States and Iraq had begun to thaw in the early 1980s with the opening of diplomatic channels. Food and support flowed into Iraq on orders from the Reagan Administration. Iraq was receptive to the support as they were engaged in a destructive war with Iran. By 1990, things changed, and Iraq was under further scrutiny. The invasion of Kuwait in August 1990 turned most of the world against Iraq, and its enemies were intent on starving the citizens to force their hand.

The author provides a unique insider's perspective as he served as the minister of trade under the Hussein regime from 1987-2003. Each chapter reveals a window into an increasingly precarious situation as the Iraqi leadership worked to stave off the starvation of its people. Deals had to be cut, and allegiances had to be leveraged to obtain funds and/or supplies. The book retains a particular poignancy as the number of deaths due to the sanctions totaled more than one million. The narrative is particularly compelling due to the subject’s adherence to performing his duties and serving his country while coping with a mounting number of setbacks. This is the Gulf War as seen from the other side. The author's work offers a grim chronological account but is nevertheless valuable in understanding geopolitics.

RECOMMENDED by the US Review

Return to USR Home