- Involvement of the United States: The United States played a significant role in all three conflicts. In the Persian Gulf War, the US led a coalition of international forces to expel Iraqi forces from Kuwait. In Iraq, the US launched the 2003 invasion of Iraq to remove Saddam Hussein from power and establish democracy. In Afghanistan, the US launched the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks and to remove the Taliban regime from power.
- Overthrow of Authoritarian Regimes: All three conflicts resulted in the overthrow of authoritarian regimes. In the Persian Gulf War, Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was forced to withdraw from Kuwait and accept UN-imposed sanctions. In Iraq, Saddam Hussein was overthrown and killed during the 2003 invasion. In Afghanistan, the Taliban regime was overthrown and dispersed following the 2001 invasion.
- Widespread Destruction and Casualties: The three conflicts caused significant destruction and loss of life. The Persian Gulf War resulted in widespread damage to infrastructure, oil installations, and civilian areas in Kuwait and Iraq. The Iraq War led to intense urban combat, civilian casualties, and destruction in cities like Baghdad and Fallujah. The Afghanistan War also caused significant civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure.
- Occupation and Counterinsurgency: After toppling the existing regimes, the United States and its allies faced challenges related to occupying the countries and dealing with resistance movements. In Iraq, the US-led coalition faced an insurgency led by various groups opposed to the occupation. In Afghanistan, US and NATO forces faced similar challenges from the Taliban and other insurgent groups.
- Long-Term Consequences: The Persian Gulf War, Iraq, and Afghanistan have had lasting consequences for the countries involved as well as regional and international dynamics. The conflicts continue to shape political, social, and security conditions in the Middle East and beyond.
Despite these similarities, there were also key differences in the context, objectives, and outcomes of each conflict, making it difficult to fully compare them.