Introduction to the Gulf War (1990–1991)

On August 3, 1990, one day after Iraqi President Saddam Hussein invaded and occupied the nation of Kuwait, U.S. President George H. W. Bush rallied international support for a unified military intervention intended to liberate the small country. The six-week war that ensued was televised from start to finish, allowing the American public to view the technologically advanced weaponry used in the action. Both air and ground offenses resulted in minimal U.S. casualties and a swift and decided victory, which established President Bush as a powerful force in world affairs. Americans, burdened for so long by the specter of the inconclusive Vietnam War, celebrated the defeat of Iraq and the might of their military.

Iraq had emerged from the Iran-Iraq War of 1980–1988 $80 billion in debt. Because Iraq historically had considered Kuwait a part of Iraq, Hussein demanded that Kuwait raise the price of oil, forgive billions of dollars in debt, pay billions more in aid, and pay $2.4 billion for Iraqi oil that it allegedly pumped illegally from the Rumaila oil field, which straddles the border between the two countries. When Kuwait did not concede to these and other demands, Hussein invaded Kuwait without warning on the morning of August 2, 1990. Within a few hours, Hussein’s army occupied the entire country. Meeting little resistance, they killed hundreds of Kuwaitis and jailed and tortured hundreds more.

As soon as President Bush learned of the invasion, he and his staff began planning the military intervention dubbed “Operation Desert Storm” and organizing a mighty force of 500,000 American troops and U.N.-coalition forces from dozens of countries. By late November 1990, a massive military presence was established in nearby Saudi Arabia and in the Persian Gulf itself. Diplomats from the United Nations and the United States attempted to negotiate a peaceful end to the invasion, but Hussein would not budge. January 15, 1991, was set as the deadline for withdrawal. When Hussein ignored the ultimatum, U.S. and coalition forces unleashed an air attack on Baghdad and other military installations inside Iraq. In a matter of days, the United States’ cutting-edge military technology had obliterated many of Iraq’s command and control centers, munitions factories, and other military installations. After 72,000 sorties dropped 141,921 tons of bombs over five weeks of air attacks, President Bush ordered the commencement of a ground offensive.

On February 24, 1991, over 100,000 U.S. and coalition troops led by General Norman Schwarzkopf mounted a swift and well-planned ground attack. Because of the success of the previous air attack, ground troops were able to defeat the enemy within 100 hours. The Gulf War ended just six weeks after it began. There were 147 Americans killed in battle, while Iraq lost between 80,000 and 100,000 soldiers and civilians. Despite the apparent total victory, Hussein was not ousted from power. He showed no contrition for his aggression, even after his elite troops were destroyed and his military might severely reduced. President Bush, enjoying the highest approval rating of any American president, ruled against further military action in Iraq but urged the world community to maintain economic sanctions against the country.