A significant new weapon, a modification of a Soviet-built missile, has dramatically stepped up the eight-year conflict between Iran and Iraq.

In addition, Iraq is seen as having dragged its feet over the Security Council's efforts to promote a settlement of the eight-year conflict.

The eight-year conflict ended in a cease-fire in 1988.

It has not been able to do that because of a lack of hard currency after war losses in the eight-year conflict with Iraq.

Pakistan, which is strategically situated in South Asia, has played a key role in the eight-year conflict in Afghanistan.

The divisions are considered especially troublesome now that an agreement on ending the eight-year conflict appears to be near.

Since a ceasefire last August in its eight-year conflict with Iran, Iraq has rushed to repair and expand its oil operations.

Talks on a permanent end to the eight-year conflict have been at a stalemate since a cease-fire in August 1988.

Others claim that in the entire eight-year conflict, ten Iranian AH-1Js were lost in combat, compared to six Iraqi Mi-24s.

He has missiles, poison gas, a million men under arms and a nation that became inured to war of attrition in the eight-year conflict with Iran.