Download Persian Gulf War

Persian Gulf War
After an ultimatum was issued by President Bush warning Iraq's Saddam Hussein not to "cross the line in
the sand," Operation Desert Storm was launched to defend the Arab nation of Kuwait against the
aggression of Iraq. Iraq, under the leadership of military dictator Saddam Hussein, had invaded Kuwait
and proclaimed it a new Iraqi province. "This will not stand,"
proclaimed Bush, and to combat the Iraqi threat to U.S. oil
supplies, he mobilized forces that annihilated Hussein's air
and land military capabilities in a 43-day war that was
televised virtually from start to finish.
Conflict seemed inevitable after a series of disputes about
land ownership and oil prices. Iraqi forces invaded Kuwait
and took over both its oil-producing fields and the capital city
of the wealthy but defenseless nation. Just four days after
the invasion, the United Nations Security Council voted
unanimously to impose a stringent trade embargo on Iraq.
As news of the Iraqi invasion reached America, President
Bush sent nearly a half million U.S. troops to the region, dubbing the deployment "Operation Desert
Shield." Other nations sent forces as well forming a massive military presence in nearby Saudi Arabia and
in the Persian Gulf itself. The massing powers did not intimidate Saddam Hussein, who threatened to use
chemical and biological weapons against his enemies if his country was attacked.
U.S. observers believed that the annexation of Kuwait was at stake. Hussein commanded an experienced
and large (the fourth largest army in the world) military and had amassed a huge arsenal of Americanand Soviet-made weapons. President Bush acted on the theory that the invasion of Kuwait might be a
first step toward Iraqi domination of other Arab nations, especially Israel and Saudi Arabia. These fears
were deepened when Hussein described his aggression as a "holy war."
United Nations and American diplomats sought to negotiate a peaceful end to the invasion to no avail.
Finally, when the deadline for Iraq's withdrawal passed unheeded, President Bush announced that
American troops would join other nations in a military response to the invasion, and the U.S.-led coalition
unleashed an air attack on Baghdad and other military installations inside Iraq. The television viewing
public was informed that Operation Desert Storm was underway.
Within days the United States' state-of-the-art military technology, including radar-eluding stealth
bombers, "smart bombs," and sophisticated satellite espionage, had destroyed many of Iraq's command
and control centers, munitions factories, and other supposedly top-secret installations. In retaliation, Iraq
bombarded Israel with Scud missiles, but the United States moved quickly to install and operate a missile
defense system that neutralized much of the threat. Over the next five weeks, Allied forces flew some
72,000 air raids over Iraq and Kuwait, dropping 141,921 tons of bombs on sites in both nations.
Satisfied that five weeks of air attacks had eroded Iraq's offensive capabilities, President Bush ordered a
ground invasion. A force of over 100,000 troops embarked on a swift and well-planned campaign that
brought Allied troops within 150 miles of Baghdad during the first 24 hours of the offensive. The ground
war lasted just 100 hours.
The victory, by all accounts, was lopsided. American casualties of Operation Desert Storm totaled 293,
fewer than the number of drivers killed on U.S. highways during a typical holiday weekend. Iraq, on the
other hand, lost between 80,000 and 100,000 soldiers and civilians; many more were captured or
surrendered. Iraq's threat to use biological and chemical weapons was never realized.
While many in the United States supported a military commitment against Iraq, there were also many
vocal critics. "No Blood for Oil" banners appeared across the nation to voice the protest that the American
commitment in the Persian Gulf was based purely on the desire for cheap oil. However, by the end of
military action, President Bush’s approval roared as the U.S. suffered minimal casualties and ended the
military threat of a powerful dictator. Bush's post-war approval rating established him as a powerful force
in world affairs.
The pinnacle of George Bush's political career may have occurred when his approval ratings soared to
nearly 90 percent in several polls immediately following the war. He also received a three-minute standing
ovation during a speech before Congress for his skillful handling of the war. Despite the apparent total
victory, the praise was short-lived, in part because of the U.S. economic recession; and in part because of
lingering difficulties in Iraq.
Severe environmental damage was sustained by Kuwait as retreating Iraqi troops set fire to its oil fields,
which burned uncontrollably for several days, sending noxious plumes of black smoke into the
atmosphere and polluting the fragile desert environment. Iraq repeatedly violated cease-fire terms by
threatening UN patrol planes and barring UN weapons inspectors from examining Iraqi arsenals. These
ongoing struggles quickly dampened the initial public enthusiasm about the victory over Iraq. As a result,
the world community promised to continue the trade sanctions for years to come creating chaos in the
Iraqi economy. Finally, the turn in public opinion regarding the war in Iraq and the economy may have
cost President Bush a chance at re-election.