Historical Context and Phases of the Gulf War

Saddam Hussein and the Internal Governance of Iraq

• Historical reputation of Saddam Hussein:

  • Saddam Hussein was widely regarded by observers as the opposite of a skilled statesman.
  • His leadership was characterized by extreme authoritarianism and volatility.

• Timeline and Style of Rule:

  • Saddam Hussein's reign officially began in $1979$.
  • He governed Iraq with an "iron and often reckless fist," indicating a reliance on brute force and high-risk decision-making from the very start of his tenure.

The Invasion of Kuwait and Iraqi Justifications

• The Outbreak of Conflict ($1990$):

  • In $1990$, Saddam Hussein directed Iraqi forces to invade Kuwait.
  • The primary economic driver for this invasion was Saddam's desire to acquire and control the vast oil industries located within Kuwaiti territory.

• Public and Historical Justification:

  • In public statements, Saddam Hussein justified the military action by asserting that Kuwait had never been a legitimate independent entity.
  • He claimed that Kuwait rightfully belonged to Iraq in the first place.
  • He argued that the League of Nations had unfairly carved Kuwait out as a separate country, essentially undoing what he viewed as the natural territorial borders of Iraq.

Operation Desert Shield

• Definition and First Stage:

  • The first operational stage of the Gulf War was officially designated as Operation Desert Shield.
  • This phase was unique because it actually commenced before the formal international coalition had been fully organized or brought together.

• The Role of the United States and Saudi Arabia:

  • Immediately following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, the United States rushed military troops into Saudi Arabia.
  • The strategic significance of Saudi Arabia was paramount, as it was (and is) the world's largest exporter of oil.
  • The objective of this deployment was purely defensive at the outset: to prevent the possibility of Iraqi attacks on Saudi territory.

Transition to Liberation and the Security Council

• Shift to Offensive Action:

  • The nature of the conflict changed following the United Nations Security Council's declaration of war.
  • What began as a defensive positioning of troops (Desert Shield) evolved into an active liberation force.

• Conclusion of the Conflict:

  • The American-led force entered the occupied territory with the specific mission to liberate Kuwait.
  • The liberation of Kuwait by these forces effectively ended the war.