Background
Prior to the First Gulf War, Iran and Iraq were working on mending their relationship. After an eight year war between the two countries, Iraq was in great debt and needed money. Once Saddam Hussein accused Kuwait of siphoning from the oil fields found on the common border and of conspiring to lower oil prices, Iraq sent troops to Kuwait border. Saddam Hussein claimed that Kuwait was an artificial state, which was his justification for invading the country. Egypt initially didn’t want the United States to intervene and began negotiations with Iraq and Kuwait, but Arab powers, such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt, eventually reached out to the United States for assistance. The First Gulf War officially started on August 2, 1990 and U.S involvement began with Operation Desert Shield on August 7, 1990. On January 16-17, 1991, the the coalition officially launched Operation Desert Storm, which was an air offensive that was led primarily by the United States. The First Gulf War concluded with devastating results for Kuwait and Iraq. After the war, Iraq’s foreign debt was approximately $130 Billion; it was estimated that it would take around a century to repay the debt. The United States was still heavily involved in the Middle East after the First Gulf War. The United States and Britain patrolled the skies and mandated a no-fly zone over Iraq.
Historical Contextualization
In the years leading up to the First Gulf war the balance of power in the world was shifting. During the late 80s, the Soviet Union was only a few years from dissolving, meaning that the United States was quickly becoming the dominant power in the world. This along with previous doctrines about intervention in the affairs of other countries, manifested in various operations in the Middle East and in South and Latin America. Such operations were Operation Praying Mantis in the Persian Gulf and Operation Just Cause in which the United States invaded Panama. The First Gulf War shows continuity in history following the other operations.
The media coverage of the war was also different from how it was covered in the past. During the Vietnam war, there was very little that was censored, so the true nature of the war was shown to people, leading to negative public opinion about the war. When the Gulf war began, the United States military more carefully controlled what the media saw and thus was able to better manage public opinion.
The media coverage of the war was also different from how it was covered in the past. During the Vietnam war, there was very little that was censored, so the true nature of the war was shown to people, leading to negative public opinion about the war. When the Gulf war began, the United States military more carefully controlled what the media saw and thus was able to better manage public opinion.
Gallery
Works Cited
Clymer, Adam. “WAR IN THE GULF: Public Opinion; Poll Finds Deep Backing While Optimism Fades.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 22 Jan. 1991, www.nytimes.com/1991/01/22/us/war-in-the-gulf-public-opinion-poll-finds-deep-backing-while-optimism-fades.html.
Gross, Jane. “WAR IN THE GULF: Americans' Reaction; Anxious Nation, Drawn Together For Support, Exhibits a Quiet Pride.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 18 Jan. 1991, www.nytimes.com/1991/01/18/us/war-gulf-americans-reaction-anxious-nation-drawn-together-for-support-exhibits.html.
“Gulf War Fast Facts.” CNN, Cable News Network, 25 July 2017, www.cnn.com/2013/09/15/world/meast/gulf-war-fast-facts/index.html.
“The Gulf War.” Khan Academy, Khan Academy, www.khanacademy.org/humanities/us-history/modern-us/1990s-america/a/the-gulf-war.
History.com Staff. “Persian Gulf War.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 2009, www.history.com/topics/persian-gulf-war.
All pictures are courtesy of Mr. John Rees unless noted otherwise.
Gross, Jane. “WAR IN THE GULF: Americans' Reaction; Anxious Nation, Drawn Together For Support, Exhibits a Quiet Pride.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 18 Jan. 1991, www.nytimes.com/1991/01/18/us/war-gulf-americans-reaction-anxious-nation-drawn-together-for-support-exhibits.html.
“Gulf War Fast Facts.” CNN, Cable News Network, 25 July 2017, www.cnn.com/2013/09/15/world/meast/gulf-war-fast-facts/index.html.
“The Gulf War.” Khan Academy, Khan Academy, www.khanacademy.org/humanities/us-history/modern-us/1990s-america/a/the-gulf-war.
History.com Staff. “Persian Gulf War.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 2009, www.history.com/topics/persian-gulf-war.
All pictures are courtesy of Mr. John Rees unless noted otherwise.