Saddam Hussein - The New Iraq 1980s Propaganda Book Turkish Middle East Iran

Saddam Hussein - Yeni Irak: Ulusal Kalkınmada 15 Yıl (Propaganda Book, 1980s, Turkish Edition)

Description:
This is a Turkish-language propaganda book titled Yeni Irak: Ulusal Kalkınmada 15 Yıl (“The New Iraq: 15 Years of National Development”), published in the 1980s by the Press Office of the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Turkey. The book was part of Saddam Hussein’s extensive propaganda campaign abroad, intended to highlight Iraq’s achievements under his rule while simultaneously spreading anti-Iranian rhetoric during the Iran–Iraq War.

The volume emphasizes the “progress” of Iraq in its first 15 years under Ba’athist leadership, covering advances in infrastructure, industry, education, agriculture, and military power. It is richly illustrated with photographs designed to showcase modernization and prosperity. At the same time, it contains sections of anti-Iran propaganda, including depictions of alleged mistreatment of Iraqi soldiers by Iranians and polemics against the Iranian Islamic Revolution, described as a “mad attempt to impose itself on Iraq.”

This dual narrative of glorification of Iraq and vilification of Iran reflects the propagandistic nature of the publication, making it an important historical artifact of Saddam Hussein’s regime and its regional messaging strategy.

Key Features:

• Title: Yeni Irak: Ulusal Kalkınmada 15 Yıl (“The New Iraq: 15 Years of National Development”)

• Language: Turkish

• Publication Period: 1980s

• Publisher: Press Office of the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Turkey

• Context: Propaganda publication during the Iran–Iraq War (1980–1988)

• Content:

  • Propaganda highlighting Iraq’s “progress” in 15 years under Ba’ath rule

  • Extensive photographs of infrastructure, modernization, and national achievements

  • Strong anti-Iran rhetoric, including accusations of mistreatment of Iraqi soldiers

  • Criticism of the Iranian Islamic Revolution, framed as an attempt to destabilize Iraq

• Purpose: To legitimize Saddam Hussein’s rule and present Iraq as a modern, thriving nation while discrediting Iran

• Historical Significance: Rare example of Iraqi propaganda published abroad in Turkish, reflecting Iraq’s attempts to shape regional opinion