Review of US Foreign Policy and Islamic Fundamentalism

Iraq's Invasion of Kuwait

• Kuwait was drilling diagonally under the border into Iraqi oil wells, extracting Iraqi oil, and selling it as Kuwaiti oil. This angered Iraq.

• The United States had previously supported Iraq in its war against Iran.

• Kuwait appealed to the United States for help after Iraq's invasion.

• The Kuwaiti government fabricated stories of Iraqi soldiers killing babies in Kuwaiti hospitals to gain American support.

Operation Desert Shield

• The United States sent troops to protect Saudi Arabian oil fields from a potential Iraqi invasion. This operation was known as Operation Desert Shield.

• The United States wanted to avoid acting unilaterally, remembering lessons from Vietnam.

Concerns in Saudi Arabia

• Saudi Arabia is home to Mecca, the holiest site in Islam, and the birthplace of Muhammad.

• The entire Arabian Peninsula is considered sacred to Muslims.

• The presence of American soldiers on Saudi soil was a sensitive issue.

• The United States obtained permission from the Saudi king to station troops there.

• The U.S. sought support from other Muslim and Arab countries like Syria, Jordan, and Egypt.

Operation Desert Storm

• The initial goal was to prevent the occupation of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

• The United States framed the intervention as a mission to liberate Kuwait and uphold truth, justice, and self-determination.

• American soldiers waited in the desert for months, aware that Iraq had used poison gas in its war with Iran.

• Troops were equipped with protective gear such as charcoal-lined suits to counteract the effects of poison gas.

• In January 1991, the United States launched Operation Desert Storm to liberate Kuwait.

• President George H.W. Bush was mindful of the Vietnam War's legacy.

• The phrase "Kuwait is Arabic for Vietnam" was used to express fears of a prolonged conflict.

• The administration emphasized supporting the troops to avoid the dissent seen during the Vietnam War.

Military Action and Aftermath

• Military leaders planned to avoid the mistakes of Vietnam.

• The Iraqi army was quickly defeated due to the overwhelming force of the American military.

• The retreating Iraqi army set Kuwaiti oil derricks on fire, causing massive environmental damage.

• The ground war lasted only 100 hours, leading to widespread support in the United States.

• The victory was seen as a vindication after the Vietnam War.

America's Role in the Post-Cold War World

• The United States took a more active role in international affairs, intervening in Somalia to stop warlords from hoarding food and medicine.

• The United States led the United Nations in preventing genocide in Bosnia after it balkanized.

• These interventions were portrayed as the United States acting as a force for good.

Growing Tensions

• The United States continued to expand NATO, incorporating former Soviet satellite states.

• Saddam Hussein remained in power in Iraq, but United States kept military bases and personnel in Saudi Arabia.

• Islamic fundamentalists viewed the American presence as imperialism and sacrilege, considering it unacceptable for non-Muslims to be on the Arabian Peninsula.

• This fueled anger and resentment towards the United States.

Rise of Al-Qaeda

• The United States' involvement in Somalia, an Islamic country, was seen by fundamentalists as Americans fighting Muslims.

• The U.S. inaction during the early stages of the Bosnian conflict was interpreted as a sign of dislike for Islam and Muslims.

• Al-Qaeda began targeting American interests overseas long before 9/11, including bombings in Bahrain and American embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. In 1999, Al-Qaeda attempted to blow up the Twin Towers.

• These attacks were interpreted by Muslim fundamentalists as resistance against American suppression of Islam.

9/11 Attacks and the War on Terror

• The attacks on September 11th, 2001, involved airplanes being used as bombs on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon, and another crash in Pennsylvania.

• These attacks dramatically changed the American perception of threats, shifting focus from communism to Islamic violence.

• After 9/11, President George W. Bush framed the attacks as a consequence of terrorists hating American freedoms.

• The speaker suggests the reasons are rooted in historical events, such as American involvement in Iran.

• The United States launched the Global War on Terror, beginning with the invasion of Afghanistan to find Osama bin Laden and fight the Taliban.

• Secretary of State Colin Powell invoked the "Pottery Barn rule," stating that if the United States breaks something, it has a responsibility to fix it.

Invasion of Iraq

• The U.S. government argued that Saddam Hussein was working with Al-Qaeda and developing weapons of mass destruction.

• The CIA disputed these claims.

• Despite the lack of evidence, the United States invaded Iraq in February 2003.

• With the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan and Iraq, Iran felt threatened, leading to further instability in the region.

Key Takeaways

• Islamic fundamentalism replaced communism as the primary perceived threat to the United States.

• The United States and Iran have a complex and strained relationship.

• After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the United States attempted to shape the world in its image, leading to conflict with Islamic fundamentalism.

• Islamic fundamentalists view the United States as an imperialist power and a threat.

Whether the United States was a force for good or evil during this period is a complex question with valid arguments on both sides. Here's a perspective arguing that the U.S. actions were more aligned with being a force for evil:

Arguments for the U.S. as a Force for Evil:

• Imperialistic Actions: The U.S. engaged in actions that could be viewed as imperialistic, such as maintaining military bases in Saudi Arabia, which was seen as a sacrilege by Islamic fundamentalists.

• Fueling Resentment: U.S. interventions and expansions, like incorporating former Soviet satellite states into NATO, increased tensions and resentment towards the U.S. in the Middle East.

• Supporting Fabricated Claims: The U.S. government used fabricated claims to back its intervention in Kuwait, such as stories about Iraqi soldiers killing babies in Kuwaiti hospitals, which contributed to a false narrative to gain support.

• Disproportionate Response: The U.S. response to attacks like 9/11 led to the Global War on Terror, which involved invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, resulting in significant instability and loss of life in the region.

• Unjustified Invasion of Iraq: Despite the CIA disputing claims, the U.S. invaded Iraq in 2003 without sufficient evidence supporting the allegations that Saddam Hussein was working with Al-Qaeda or developing weapons of mass destruction.

In summary, the United States' decisions and actions reflect imperialistic tendencies, disregard for cultural sensitivities, and overreach that engendered hostility and instability. This viewpoint posits that, instead of acting as a global benefactor, the U.S. perpetuated cycles of violence and resentment that continue to affect the region. Instead of fostering diplomacy and collaboration with Middle Eastern nations, the U.S. approach often alienated local populations, contributing to the rise of extremist movements and further complicating the political landscape.