Search

The article explores United States and Israel's involvement with the Iran-Contra scandal. The author argues that the United States and Israel initiated the arms deal with Iran previous to the Lebanon hostage crisis, contradicting the notion set forth by Special Prosecutor Walsh that it was after the taking of hostages.

Some argue the Iran-Contra investigations were inadequate, and that Congress shirked its constitutional responsibilities to expose the affair. Others charge Congress expects 'another Watergate' in every partisan controversy. Neither claim establishes realistic expectations for congressional foreign policy investigations. This argument establishes a comparative framework for evaluating important Cold War investigations. Three primary dimensions shape their nature, scope, and outcome. Periods of 'emergency' or stability in the international system affect Congress's likely deference to the president. The institutional division of foreign policy powers has cumulatively favored the expansion of presidential power during the Cold War, and formidable presidential advantages limit congressional investigations. Political culture tugs in conflicting directions. American 'exceptionalism' promotes the expansion of presidential power, while liberal concerns for limiting state power are expressed in efforts to reassert Congress's foreign policy role. Because congressional assertiveness is a variable phenomenon, the nature, scope, and purpose of its investigations will differ in each case.

Seven years after the scandal broke, the Independent Counsel's final report will offer a comprehensive body of evidence on the widespread corruption of politics, policy and power in Washington, D.C. [...]

The interconnections between the October Surprise, the Iran-Contra affair and the Bank of Credit and Commerce International SA's fraud indictments are presented in chart form. The October Surprise is Reagan campaign manager William Casey's secret arms deal with Iran in 1980 to delay the release of the American hostages until Reagan's election as president. The Iran-Contra affair, involved US provision of weapons to Iran by diverting proceeds to the Nicaraguan contras. In turn, contact persons in the Iran-Contra affair have been linked to the fraud indictments of The Bank of Credit and Commerce International SA.