The Ba’ath Party had established control over Iraq, focusing on modernization, nationalization of resources, and Arab nationalis Saddam Hussein, as vice president under al-Bakr, emerged as the key power broker, controlling security forces and party apparatus. Iraq faced internal divisions, economic challenges, and regional tensions, setting the stage for Saddam to assume the presidency in 1979 and establish a tightly controlled authoritarian regime.
Before Saddam Hussein, Iraq was a country in transition: politically unstable but rich in resources, socially diverse but divided, and culturally vibrant but grappling with modernization challenges. Understanding this period is essential to grasp how Saddam later centralized power, managed ethnic and sectarian divisions, and navigated domestic and international politics.
