BAATHIST MIDDLE EAST
The Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party was a political party founded in Syria by Michel Aflaq, Salah al-Din al-Bitar and associates of Zaki al-Arsuzi. It is an ideology mixing Arab nationalist, pan-Arabism, Arab socialist and anti-imperialist interests. The Ba’ath ultimately formed branches in various nations in the Middle East beyond Syria, such as Iraq, Lybia, and Jordan.
The Iraqi Regional Branch supported leader Qasim's rule on the grounds that he would seek Iraq's entry into the United Arab Republic, although he reversed his stance, which led to a coup against him by Saddam Hussein and other followers. Despite the coup’s failure and the arrest of Saddam, he ultimately worked his way to power through bloody purges.
The collection largely focuses on Saddam’s Iraq and Assad’s Syria, since object collection has proven to be challenging. The collection highlights military and party aspects of both the Saddam and the Assad regimes.
![]() Supreme Worthiness MedalN.D. Brass, cotton, enamel, paint Iraq | ![]() Republican Guard Beretc. 1990s Wool, brass Iraq | ![]() Mother of all Battles Medal1991 Brass, paint Iraq |
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![]() Souvenir Currency for American GIsc. 2003 Cardboard, paper, plastic, nickel Iraq | ![]() Propaganda PosterN.D. Paper Baathist Middle East | ![]() Czech-Manufactured Iraqi HelmetN.D. Steel Iraq |
![]() Saddam Hussein PlaqueN.D. Wood, plaster, duct tape, epoxy Iraq | ![]() Post-Saddam Era Iraqi Flagc. 2004-08 Synthetic silk, cotton Iraq | ![]() Iraqi Special Forces PatchesN.D. Fabric, cotton, glass, paper, cardboard, wood Iraq |
![]() Blackwater "High Value Target" Shirt2004 Cotton United States |