- Saddam Hussein's Iraq emerged impoverished from an eight-year war against Iran, which lasted from 1980 to 1988. At the end of the war, the small emirate of Kuwait decided to increase its production of oil by 20% without consulting the OPEC countries, thus causing the price of oil to fall:because of this competition, Iraq, in poor economic health, loses two thirds of its oil revenues.
- Tensions mount when the Emir of Kuwait refuses to compensate for Iraq's losses. During the summer of 1990, Saddam Hussein therefore met the United States ambassador and told her of his plan to invade Kuwait, arguing that Kuwait should belong to Iraq. Saddam Hussein understands that the United States does not wish to interfere in the coming conflict. Sure to have his hands free, he amassed troops near the Kuwaiti border.
- The coming conflict is a key strategic issue for the United States:not only does Kuwait have 9% of the world's oil reserves, but it would also allow them to set up a military base in the area and thereby increasing control and influence over Arab oil-producing countries. George W. Bush therefore sees it as a pretext to settle in the Persian Gulf.
August 2, 1990 - February 28, 1991
Characters
George W. Bush
Saddam Hussein
Procedure
After negotiations failed in July, Iraq invaded Kuwait on August 2, 1990 without meeting any resistance.
The international community immediately reacted very strongly, fearing that this invasion would destabilize the oil market.
Having convinced Saudi Arabia that Saddam Hussein intends to invade, the United States quickly assembles an international coalition thinking of engaging in a humanitarian war to establish a democratic government in Iraq.
On August 6, 1990, Operation "Desert Shield" was launched:between September and November, more than thirty countries (Anglo-Saxon, European and Arab) massed nearly 600,000 men on the Iraqi border against 500,000 Poorly equipped Iraqis, under the command of the Americans Schwarzkopf and Powell. Much Western propaganda supports the war effort.
On January 17, 1991, Operation Desert Storm began:the coalition air force attacked Iraq and its army. In 43 days, 88,000 tons of bombs were dropped on Iraq, causing terrible collateral damage.
On February 23, the Army enters Iraq without resistance.
On February 26, the Iraqis begin to withdraw from Kuwait.
On February 28, Bush fears that the Shiites, whom the coalition has incited to revolt against Saddam Hussein, will take power in Iraq:he therefore stops the march of the coalition, to the great astonishment of international opinion. Saddam Hussein is spared, and more:the coalition leaves him free to put down the revolt it has spawned.
Consequences
- Saddam Hussein therefore begins the massacre of Kurds and Shiites in Iraq.
- In addition to suffering an embargo, Iraq continues to be bombarded daily:the weakening of the country benefits the Arab countries of the Gulf.
- A large Anglo-Saxon military base is located in the Gulf.
- Saddam Hussein gradually approaches the Islamist movement, and tensions increase in the area, until September 11, 2001.