First there was the Imposed War between Iran and Iraq, which lasted from 1980 to 1988.

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By contrast, conditions in Japan's defense industry remain bleak: The industry is shrinking rapidly because of decreased domestic demand, and the situation is unlikely to improve as long as Japan's self-imposed Cold War-era arms export ban remains.

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The cold war imposed a grim clarity on the relationship.

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That would not be thinkable today: death cannot be imposed by the Yugoslav and Rwandan war crimes tribunals even for the worst atrocities.

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After the war, the international community imposed tough sanctions on Iraq.

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At the time of the Middle East war of 1973, Arab oil producers imposed a ban on exports to those countries they regarded as too supportive of Israel.

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The country has found it difficult to escape from poverty, partly because of a trade blockade imposed by neighbouring Turkey and Azerbaijan since the 1990s war with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh.

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