Martyrs and Survivors: The Iran-Iraq War

Martyrs and Survivors: The Iran-Iraq War

From History As It Happens by Martin Di Caro

April 10, 2026 · 52 min

About this episode

This episode discusses the enduring relevance of the Iran-Iraq War and its impact on the Islamic Republic's identity and resilience.

Keep the narrative flow going in 2026. Subscribe now for early access, ad-free listening, and bonus content! Over eight long years in the 1980s, Iraq and Iran pulverized each other in an unwinnable, pointless war that nonetheless began as an existential threat to the new revolutionary government in Tehran. In the crucible of war, the Islamic Republic cemented hardline clerical rule, crushed dissent, forged an identity, demonstrated its resilience, ensured the country's independence, and created a powerful national narrative to challenge hostile "imperialists" in the West and East. In this episode, political scientist Hussein Banai , an expert on U.S.-Iran relations, discusses the enduring relevance of the Iran-Iraq War as the theocratic regime attempts to survive a U.S.-Israeli onslaught in 2026. Recommended reading: Republics of Myth: National Narratives and the US-Iran Conflict by Hussein Banai, Malcolm Byrne, and John Tirman Iran-Iraq War (Encyclopedia Britannica)

People in this episode

Host: Martin Di Caro

Guest: Hussein Banai

Topics covered

  • Iran-Iraq War
  • U.S.-Iran relations
  • theocratic regime
  • national identity
  • political resilience

Keywords

  • Iran-Iraq War
  • Hussein Banai
  • theocratic regime
  • national narrative
  • U.S.-Israeli relations

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Islamic Republic, U.S.-Iran relations, Encyclopedia Britannica

Books & works: Republics of Myth: National Narratives and the US-Iran Conflict

More episodes of History As It Happens

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the History As It Happens podcast page.