Contra-Gate

WHILE THE arms-for-hostages deal with Iran (Iran-Gate) and the supply of military aid to the Nicaraguan Contras (Contra-Gate) are generally referred to under the umbrella term Iran-Contra, the two distinct events occurred on two separate continents. It was only when the idea of using the proceeds from the Iranian arms sales to provide aid to the Contras, after Congress passed the Boland Amendment banning such action, that the two distinct operations became connected. The cover-up that followed irrevocably tied the two events together in the minds of the American people. By the time all investigations into the Iran-Contra affair were completed, the total cost to the American people reached $48.5 million

Iran-Contra is definitely one of the worst foreign policy fiascos in American history. While the ...