Maneuvering between Baghdad and Tehran: North Korea's Relations with Iraq and Iran during the Cold War

Abstract This article explores how North Korean leaders tried to maneuver between Iran and Iraq gain greater leverage in the Cold War. Both of these Middle Eastern countries seemed potentially attractive partners for Pyongyang, but they were often on hostile terms with each other. The considers Iraq-Iran rivalry domestic changes affected policy. Even when Pyongyang's cooperation one or other two states reached a high level, Koreans also out country, regardless position either state external actors such as Soviet Union China. generally avoided taking public stand dispute, occasion became more deeply involved. Mainly, government sought maximize number its partners, rather than make stable commitment just state. In turn, both eventually came perceive Korea that was mostly benefit itself helping them.