Events of War

The war began January 16, 1991, with the coalition launching an air assault on Iraq and its

troops and military installations in Kuwait. The assault, which lasted 38 days, destroyed much of

Iraq's war-making capabilities; when the ground attack began February 24, coalition forces were

virtually unopposed and they defeated Iraqi ground troops within 100 hours. Hostilities ended

with a temporary cease-fire on February 27. Iraq agreed to terms of a United Nations

permanent cease-fire on April 6, 1991. The Persian Gulf War marks the first time in history that

air power played the most important role in deciding the outcome of a war>S launched

“Operation Desert Storm and Iraq and its people. It’s crazy to see how we just went to War with

them over oil and unleashed on the poor country. Even though Kuwait was oil rich country but it

had some laws. Women had no right and men were in charge. It’s just a country were men were

only in control and will always be right no matter what happens to them. Although, America had

send 88,000.00 tons of bombs into Iraqi people and many places were not even targets and they

just were hit on homes and it didn’t matter who lived in the homes. I just feel it’s wrong that

many people say that it was a lie that they had a locations were the bombs were going but many

says it’s a lie. But what about the soldiers that were also injured and many of them died or were

hurt. Did U>S> think about bombing that country that many people will get hurt for no reason

but because they wanted to start a war. But there is no really proof of Saddam Hussein used

weapons of his invasion in Kuwait. But I guess its up to who had the details and went along with

it.

Summary

                                                “Summary“

     The few public statements issued after July 24, 1994 stressed time and time again that the U.S.A. have no defense treaties or security commitments with Kuwait.1.  Events leading up to the use of United States forces before the actual fighting began to cause me to wonder how truthful the above statement is.  The United States ends up spending $61 - $71 billion dollars, and 550,000 troops to the effort.2.  The United States Congress in addition votes to authorize the use of American forces to push Iraqi forces out of Kuwait.

     Kuwait’s, head of security, Brigadier Fahd Ahmed Al-Fahd states subsequent to the Iraqi invasion, ‘We agreed with the American side that it was important to take advantage of the deteriorating economic situation in Iraq in order to put pressure on that country”.2.  U.S. Secretary of State, James Baker, in a meeting with Iraqi Foreign Minister Tariq Aziz, tries to hand a letter to Mr. Aziz from President Bush.  Mr. Aziz states he could not accept the letter, saying, “The language in the letter was not compatible with language between heads of state”.3.  Mr. Baker also goes in front of NATO and warns them that Iraq may attempt a partial pullout from Kuwait as a way to weaken the coalition.  Mr. Baker states strongly that, “ NATO endorses the American pullout by January 15, 1991, and is acceptable to the coalition”.3.

     United States actions prior to the Iraqi invasion and prior to the coalition attack to push Iraq out of Kuwait is consistent with a policy of how deep United States involvement contrary to U.S. statements  and U.S. actions show a deep commitment and/or involvement in Middle East affairs.  It is possible to conclude that the United States managed this crisis, and in the end benefited most by all that happened.

     Kuwait is encouraged to pressure Iraq by keeping oil prices low.  They do this by producing more oil than the OPEC quota calls for.  Kuwait starting in 1987 finds itself on the receiving end of American military technology and advisors.  Saudi Arabia feels vulnerable as a result of Iraqi actions.  Iraq threatens other Arab states who are perceived to be American allies.  United States Ambassador to Iraq is perceived by Iraq as giving a green light to Iraqi moves against Kuwait.  Iraq invades and occupies Kuwait and the United States then forms an international coalition to punish Iraq.

     United States Forces as a result of the above, is now in the Middle East in a big way.  Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the Arab Emirates are forced to accept the fact that without a U.S. guarantee, their long term existence could be in question.  Iraq, Syria and/or Iran could be in a position to affect United States and its allies energy supplies, thus able to make a serious threat against the economies of the West.  This interference with world oil supplies has now been made more difficult with the active involvement of the United States.

     Prior to the Iraq aggression, it was almost impossible for the United States to put military forces in the Middle East.  This fact was mostly due to the United States support for Israel.  Most Arabs were strongly anti-American because of this Israeli support.  Arab governments had to be careful in how they were involved with the United States or they would find themselves being protested against.  Now, with Iraq’s aggression and Arab concern over Iran (Persia), it is almost impossible for the Middle East to see when U. S. forces will leave the area.

  

                                                            Works Cited:

1. http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article -213.shtml. Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait.
2.  
3. http://www.experts.about.com/e/g/gu/gulf-war.htm. Gulf War Experts.

4. http://www.nytimes.com/1990/12/18/world/standoff-in-the-gulf-a-partial-pullout-by-Iraq-is-feared-as-deadline-ploy.html. Confrontation in the Gulf as U.S. officials see it.

"U.S. Reasons for Seeing Iraq Brought Down" - Part II:

                        “U.S. Reasons For Seeing Iraq Brought Down “

                                                Part II:

     Questions that must be asked based on information available from different sources.

1. Did the United States want to see Iraqi’s power reduced?
2. Did the U.S. put in place policies that caused Iraq to miscalculate the United States reaction to their forceful take over of Kuwait?  If the answer to the above two questions is yes, then why did the United States pursue the above courses of action?

     This paper opens emphasizing an event that occurs shortly after Iraq captures Kuwait.  Iraq produces a captured Kuwaiti memo of a November 1989 meeting between Central Intelligence Agency, (C.I.A.), director William Casey and a Kuwaiti General Al-Fahd.  This memo purporsely shows the United States and Kuwait conspiring to destabilize Iraq by keeping oil prices artificially low. The Washington Post reports the Kuwaiti Foreign Minister faints when confronted with the memo.  Both the United States and Kuwait declare it a forgery.  “Critics of the C.I.A. and Kuwait point to the memo’s vagueness as proof it was real”.1.

     Why would the United States want to destabilize Iraq?  It could be because Iraq had just concluded an exhausting war with Iran and was now looking to flex its military muscle on the oil producing states in OPEC.  The New York Times reported that according Mehdi Varzi, a London based oil analyst, an historic meeting of OPEC in July 1990, a “Historic Turning Point may have been reached”.2.  Iraq at this meeting flexed its military muscle and forced Kuwait and the Arab Emirates to back down from their overproduction of oil above OPEC quotas.  Iraqi President Saddam Hussein threatened military action if they refused.  Mr. Varzi is quoted as saying, “because Iraq has used military might to show that it is now the OPEC policeman, this did not happen overnight”.2.  Iraq had rattled its military saber at an earlier OPEC meeting in May of 1990.  President Hussein at this meeting called for the:

1. Liberation of Jerusalem.
2. Attacks on the United States and Israel.
3. Demanded $27 billion dollars from Kuwait.
4. Blamed Kuwait and Saudi Arabia and greed for low oil prices and equated

their behavior as acts of war against Iraq.3.

     Iraq around the time of the May OPEC meeting in Baghdad also threatens to use chemical weapons against Israel if that country should make any move against Iraq.

     July, 1990 is the crucial month in leading to the First Iraq War.  It seems to win a political victory at the July OPEC meeting described above.  Additionally, United States Ambassador in Iraq, Glaspie told President Hussein that the United States had “no opinion” on disputes between Arab countries.  Glaspie later in London says, “We didn’t expect him to take the whole country”.4.  Also, during July, Iraq moved 100,000 men and tanks to the Kuwaiti border.5. Saudi Arabia had said nothing of the Iraqi moves, but there is little doubt, many Arab officials said, that the Saudis feel “very uncomfortable as one official put it, with the rising star of Iraq in OPEC”.2.

     Two more points for the purpose of this paper need to be raised.  Iraq viewed itself as the hero of the Arab world.  Saddam Hussein felt Iraq had provided collective service for all Arabs by being a buffer against Iran (Persia).  This position of President Hussein and Iraq in the minds of many Arabs would also have been enhanced by President Hussein’s threats against Israel and its protector, the United States.  Palestinians actually supported Iraqi moves against Kuwait.  Lastly, the Kuwait Royal Family was extremely unpopular as they were hated by Arabs and Muslims.  The Royal Family inside and outside the Arab world were described as degenerates, parasites and rapists, owners of a harem and slaves and that they ran Kuwait as if it was a private enterprise.5.

     The United States Government may have looked at the trends taking place in the Arab word and felt they had to take drastic action or the Middle East may have fallen under the control of Iraq and or radical Islamic elements.  A decision may have been made to keep the Arab world divided, sew discord between Arab nations, but under no circumstances allow any one nation or ideology to gain control.  The United States thus pushed a policy to keep Iraq in debt and to keep the Kuwait’s, Saudi’s and other Oil Emirates dependant on United States military protection.  United States policy may have miscalculated how far Iraq’s Hussein would go, thinking, he could never believe that the United States would allow him to control such a huge supply of vital western energy supplies.  Hussein and Tariq Aziz, Iran’s foreign minister, should have known despite what they thought Ambassador Glaspie had said. It was in our vital national interest to keep the Middle East oil reserves out of Saddam Hussein’s hands.  It was also in our national interest to preserve the sovereignty of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.  The Kuwaiti Royal Family was despised by many threats but Iraq gave it support from other Arab nations as it would not otherwise have received.  American forces also would never have been allowed into the Middle East Countries without a clear threat from another country.  Middle East oil is vital to the West and the United States by virtue of the First Iraq War and is now in a better position to protect it.

     This paper was not written from the usual perspective of America going to war for human rights, to stop aggression, to stop tyranny of the new Hitler ,Saddam Hussein, or even because Saddam might develop or use weapons of mass destruction.  My belief is that a great country has to act in their own self-interests.  If we are smart and can arrange events properly, often times we can act in ways that support both our goals and ideals.

                                                            Works Cited:

1. www.http://experts.about.com/e/g/gu/gulf_war.htm. 

2. www.http://www.nytimes.com/1990/07/26/world/iraq_said-to-prevail-in-oil-dispute-with-kuwait-and-arab-emirates.html. Page wanted = 1.

      “Iraq said to prevail in oil dispute with Kuwait and Arab Emirates”.

3. www.http:/www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/iraqsoileventskuwait.html.

4. www.http://www.unnyc.org/shows/lopate/2010/nov/11/why-americans-choose-war. “Why Americans Choose War”.

5. www.http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_213.shtml.  “Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait 1990”.

Part 2: Kuwait's Origins and Military Readiness: (Iraqi Point of View):

                        “Iraqi Point of View of the Causes of the Iraq/Kuwait War” :

                        Part 2: Kuwait’s Origins and Military Readiness:

     Kuwait has always seemed to rely upon a western power not only for its creation, but also for its continued existence.  British Imperialism was responsible for concluding a protectorate agreement with the Al-Sabah family, Kuwait’s ruling dynasty in 1899.  Britain according to Wikipedia, assumed the responsibility for Kuwait’s foreign affairs.  Kuwait stays loosely connected to the Ottoman Empire until 1913, when Britain in the Anglo-Ottoman Convention splits Kuwait from the Ottoman Empire and recognizes it as a separate Sheikdom under British protection.  Gulf war expects this situation continues until 1961 when the British relinquish control of Kuwait’s foreign relations.  One week later, according to www.acig.org., Iraq declares that Kuwait is part of Iraq.  Kuwait according to agreement with Britain asks for help.  England immediately sends combat planes followed by an aircraft carrier and combat troops.  This action by England stops any attempt by Iraq to follow through on its threat.

     Iraq has no choice but to accept the reality of  kuwait’s existence for the moment while it awaits an opportunity in the future to retake Kuwait.  A country that exists only because Britain wanted to keep Iraq weakened so that British influence in the Middle East would not be challenged.  Kuwait after 1961 incident commits to the creation of armed forces.  This is done primarily with British help until the late 1970’s.  Kuwait is initially armed by a variety of weak nations selling weapons, British planes and army weapon, French planes and Indian tanks, etc. The weapons purchased often require a level of training and expertise that Kuwait does not have.  Initially many of the purchased weapons have to be maintained by foreign experts.

     Kuwait by 1970 has an army of only 4,500 men organized into a brigade group with 50 tanks and a battery of Howitzers.  They also have an air force of 900 men, this according to www.acig.org. March, 1973, border skirmishes break out with Iraqi forces.  Baghdad tried to force Kuwait into conceding area opposite new Iraqi naval base at Omm Ol-Quar.  This new threat makes it evident to Kuwait need for a modernized air force.  Kuwait continues to purchase weapons from a variety of supplies until 1987.  “Kuwait becomes increasingly associated with the U.S.A.  for its defense needs, ordering 32 F/A-18C single seat and 8 F/A-18D’s, two seaters.  The U.S. also begins to provide support systems for the weapons systems.

     Kuwait’s Air Force was to be best equipped of all armed forces; this was decided upon for several reasons.  The Al-Sabah family always relied upon help from outside powers if threatened and army was kept small and relatively poorly trained as a precaution against a military coup.  As of 1989, the army still primarily using British Equipment, the first of newly ordered military vehicles was due to arrive in the Autumn of 1990.  The Kuwaiti Army was a logistical nightmare according to www.acig.org., requiring a sizable foreign liason teams to be stationed in Kuwait and a considerable number of foreign instructors, a small team of U. S. Liason Office, Kuwait (U.S.L.O.C.) was in place focusing on logistical support.

     Iraq, if they were going to take Kuwait by force had to be aware that given time, Kuwait would become more formidable.  A window of opportunity would soon close when Kuwait could be conquered with minimal force.  A decision to invade must have been made based upon this information no matter what concessions many have been offered at the last minute.  The decision to take Kuwait by force had probably already been made.

                                                            Works Cited:

1. http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article213.shtml.

Events of War

at least, that's what Saddam Hussein called the First Persian Gulf War, which lasted about half a year and took place from August 2nd, 1990 until February 28th, 1991. The First Persian Gulf War took place as a response to the invasion of Kuwait by Iraqi troops on August 2nd, 1990. But unlike the Iraq War of the 21st century, the First Gulf War was sanctioned by the United Nations Security Council. Iraq rejected Bushes ultimate To leave Kuwait. US had good relations with Iraq but then after the weapons, it all changed and went to war.

sites:

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BUE/is_6_138/ai_n17211296/