Study Notes on George Bush's Management Style and Operation Desert Storm

Authors: Cecil V. Crabb and Kevin V. Mulcahy
Source: Presidential Studies Quarterly, Vol. 25, No. 2, Leadership, Organization, and Security (Spring, 1995), pp. 251-265
Published by: Blackwell Publishing on behalf of the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress
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Accessed on: 16/09/2009 09:07
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Operation Desert Storm as a pivotal event in U.S. military history; one reflecting a successful deployment of large-scale military force post-World War II.
Key elements contributing to success:
- Homogeneity and solidarity among Bush’s inner circle.
- Bush's personal diplomacy skills.
- Broad congressional and public approval for military actions.
Limitations of successful management: primarily foreign affairs; lacks application in domestic and electoral politics.
Discussion focus: Bush’s role as a “crisis manager” and the implications for presidential decision-making during foreign policy crises.

Post World War II, presidents’ success often measured by foreign crisis management.
Examples of significant presidencies:
- FDR: Spokesperson for Allies and converted U.S. into the “arsenal of democracy.”
- Harry Truman: Remembered for his containment strategy against Communism.
- John F. Kennedy: Notable for handling the Cuban Missile Crisis.
- Richard Nixon: Achievements in détente and normalization with China.
Failures & Mismanagement:
- Truman and Johnson lost popularity due to conflicts in Korea and Vietnam.
Challenges Faced by Bush:
- Public’s skepticism toward presidents regarding foreign affairs, constitutional prerogatives, military capability, and civilian leadership questions in crises.

August 2, 1990: Iraq invades Kuwait, which has significant oil reserves (approx. 100 billion barrels, 12% of global total).
Geopolitical significance: Threat to U.S. interests and regional stability, particularly concerning Israel and friendly Arab nations.
Bush's key decisions following invasion:
- Recognition of the Iraqi threat as real.
- Determining that U.S. must lead efforts against Iraqi aggression.
- Policy direction influenced by the Carter Doctrine.
- Formation of a multinational coalition, learned from Vietnam War's lessons about U.S. engagement.
Economic Measures and Military Strategy:
- Economic sanctions imposed against Iraq; military buildup under Operation Desert Shield with over 440,000 U.S. troops.
- Operations initiated on January 30, 1991, leading to Operation Desert Storm on February 23.
- Achieved a quick military victory described as the “100-Hour War.”

Direct Involvement: Bush was in command throughout the decision-making process, embodying the role of chief decision-maker.
Avoidance of Micro-management: Unlike predecessors, Bush left execution details to subordinates while focusing on high-level strategies.
Decisive Leadership: In bridging decisiveness with calmness under pressure to counter perceived weaknesses (e.g., “the Wimp factor”).
Advisory Dynamics: Reliance on a cohesive, like-minded inner circle devoid of conflicting views, which facilitated quicker agreement on policies.
Ideological Preconceptions:
- Anti-aggression stance and belief in U.S. power as a superpower.
- Leadership approach was sometimes termed as “glandular” or intuitive, indicating pre-formed decisions prior to formal declarations.

Personal History:
- From a politically connected family; former Navy pilot; enriched from the oil industry; extensive public service record.
- Roles included Congressman, UN Ambassador, CIA Director, and Vice President.
Self-Confidence and Strategy Formulation:
- Emphasis on high-level strategy; provided direction based on comprehensive foreign policy experience.
- Believed in utilizing personal diplomacy to influence foreign leaders, demonstrated multiple times during the crisis.
Lessons from Military History:
- Key learnings derived from World War II about maintaining U.S. security, from the Korean War about clarity in objectives, and from Vietnam to ensure military commitment and avoid micro-management.

Brent Scowcroft (National Security Adviser):
- Advocated for a firm stance against Iraqi aggression; pivotal in developing military strategy and maintaining limited war aims.
- Served as a trusted counsel to Bush even outside formal settings, ensuring unity in strategy.
James Baker (Secretary of State):
- Experienced but initially lacking diplomatic background; played a crucial role in negotiations and maintaining domestic political considerations.
- Worked to focus on international coalitions for support and utilized strong communication skills with Congress to facilitate foreign policy objectives.
Dick Cheney (Secretary of Defense):
- Promoted aggressive military buildup and defensive strategies in response to Iraqi threats; instrumental in managing military operations alongside civilian oversight.
- Advocated for preemptive military action rather than prolonged sanctions.

Multinational Effort: Approximately 30 nations joined forces against Iraq, highlighting the importance of coalition-building post-Vietnam.
United Nations Involvement: Significant emphasis placed on gaining UN support, aided by improved Soviet-American relations, allowing for effective action.
Coalition Limitations & Achievements:
- Assembling diverse partners, including Islamic nations alongside Israel, became a notable accomplishment for Bush’s administration.

Political Support: Navigating Congress and public sentiment was critical for maintaining foreign policy legitimacy; frequent consultations established a cooperative atmosphere.
Legislative Votes: Key historic votes (e.g., January 12, 1991) granted Bush authority to use military force, highlighting the complexities in secure legislative support.
Public Relations Strategies: Bush strategically framed military actions in moral terms, enhancing public support (achieved approval ratings nearing 90% during the crisis).

Despite foreign policy successes, Bush's management style focused on elite, consensual decision-making was less effective in domestic politics.
The management techniques adapted during the Gulf War would prove challenging to replicate in later electoral situations, demonstrating a disconnection between foreign and domestic political arenas.