Details how the British government bypassed its official and public policy not to sell arms to either combatant during the Iran-Iraq war, and allowed the export of dual-use goods to both during the 1980s. Discusses the cases of the Astra, Ordtech, Matrix Churchill, and Supergun; and evaluates the Scott Inquiry's conclusions about the matter. Argues that assumptions about the policies of second-tier arms suppliers such as Britain should be reconsidered. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.