The Iran-Contra Affair: An Analysis

The Iran-Contra Affair shows how the Reagan Administration engaged in two major foreign affairs policy blunders due to a fear of Communism.
The United States wanted friendly relations with Iran because of its strategic location and they did not want Iran to become friendly with the Russians (Torr 69). Israel agreed to facilitate this relationship by purchasing weapons from the United States that were then sold to Iran. Israel wanted the war with Iraq and Iran to continue so it would weaken them because they were both their enemies (Torr 75). Iran also had an influence in Lebanon where the American hostages were held. The U.S. also wanted to bribe Iran who was at war with Iraq to pressure Lebanese radicles to release American hostages (Craughwell
Initially Regan tried to appoint a board of inquiry chaired by senator John Tower a Texas Republican (Rizzo 295). However under political pressure the Regan administration requested appointment of an independent counsel and retired federal judge Lawrence Walsh an Oklahoma Republican, was selected (Peters 295). The Senate and House voted to establish select Iran-contra investigating committees, headed by Sen. Daniel K. Inouye of Hawaii and Rep. Lee H. Hamilton of Indiana, both Democrats (Peters 295). The Tower Commission report, issued on Feb 26, 1987, was highly critical of Reagan. It felt like Reagan delegated too much authority to the National Security Council staff. Regan initially denied the allegations but on March 1987 in a public address to the nation Regan to full responsibility for his actions and those of the administration (Torr 71). The Senate and House investigating committees worked throughout much of 1987. Joint hearings drew large national TV audience. The For the American public, the focal point of the hearings was the combative and articulate Oliver North. He portrayed himself as a loyal soldier who had done only what was authorized and who had sought to serve his country. The committee’s majority report, issued on November 18, 1987, concluded that members of the National Security Council and others had consciously attempted to circumvent the law. It was complicated because CIA William Casey who was at the center of the covert operations died during the investigation which made it hard to determine the truth (Rizzo 100). Fourteen officials were charged with criminal violations and all individuals were tried and convicted. North’s conviction was overturned on the grounds that his trial may have been tainted by his earlier immunized testimony before Congress. There was even presidential pardons