IRAQ PUTS ON THE PRESSURE

In the fifth year of the bitter and costly war with Iran, Iraq today appears in better political and military shape than at any time since its heady but short-lived military successes at the beginning of the conflict. As the results of the recent Iranian limited offensive show, Iraq is now able to cope very effectively with Iranian military efforts and, although remaining essentially on the defensive, no longer seems in danger of suffering the catastrophic military defeat that was once predicted by many outside observers.