The November 18, 1963 Coup and Iraq’s Foreign Policy in Light of the Cabinet Decisions (1963–1965)

Abstract

The research titled “Iraq’s Foreign Policy in Light of the Decisions of the Council of Ministers (1963–1968)” addresses the complex nature of Iraq’s foreign policy during this five-year period. The Iraqi government at the time sought to steer its foreign policy in favor of Iraq’s interests and orientations. This period witnessed significant events that influenced Iraq’s political, social, economic, and regional circumstances. Iraq endeavored to establish good relations with all Arab and Western countries, especially with its neighboring states, despite existing border and water-related disputes. The country could not sustain a state of estrangement from its Arab brethren, and its foreign policy underwent significant transformations shaped by regional and international changes.

Although several studies have examined Iraq’s foreign policy, they often lacked reliance on primary documents, particularly the decisions of the Iraqi Council of Ministers. These decisions serve as essential historical sources, as a historical approach is vital for understanding past events. These documents provided a rich historical foundation upon which the researcher based their analysis.