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What were the causes and the consequences of the Iraq-Kuwait conflict?
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How was the conflict between Iraq and Kuwait resolved?
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How can transnational terrorism be managed?

Remember what we learnt in the last lesson..?
- all countries want to protect their national interests
- conflicts occur when countries do not agree with one another on various issues which might threaten their national interests

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Conflicts can be resolved through diplomacy
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Conflicts that cannot be solved through peaceful means may lead to war
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These conflicts may impact surrounding countries in the region and at times, even the world

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Countries: Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt,
Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait,
Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia,
Sudan, Syria, Turkey, United Arab
Emirates (UAE), Yemen

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People: Arabs, Turks, Kurds, Jews
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Religions: Islam, Judaism,
Christianity

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Per Capita Income can vary from
US$23,000 in richer nations to
US$800 in poorer nations
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Such differences has caused resentment between countries of the middle east

Why is the Middle East so important to the world?
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It is one of the most important oil producing regions in the world
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It controls a strategic waterway, the
Suez Canal which links Europe to
Asia

Iraq
Neighbours
Both former British colonies
Both were under the Ottoman Empire

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Kuwait granted independence in 1961
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Iraq refused to recognise independence
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Iraq tried to invade Kuwait in 1960’s but failed
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1963 – Iraq gave up claim over Kuwait
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Iraq and Kuwait worked together during
Iran-Iraq war

What worsened the relationship between Iraq and Kuwait?
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Economic problems in Iraq
- Iraq suffered tremendously during the war with Iran
- It owed about US$80 billion in debts
- Reconstruction of war-torn areas required US$230 billion

What worsened the relationship between Iraq and Kuwait?
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Oil production
- Falling oil prices due to overproduction by countries like UAE and Kuwait
- Iraq lost a lot of revenue and blamed UAE and Kuwait for waging an economic war

What worsened the relationship between Iraq and Kuwait?
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Dispute over territory
Rumaila Oilfields

Were there attempts to resolve the problems between Iran and Kuwait?
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Mediation by the Arab League

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Association of Southeast Asian
Nations

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Kuwait agreed to produce oil according to OPEC quota
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Iraq still accused Kuwait of having plans to produce more oil
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Iraq assured league that as long as negotiations were underway, he would not use force against Kuwait

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OPEC ministers agreed to raise the price of oil so that Iraq could make more revenue for its reconstruction efforts
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Kuwait agreed to write off Iraq’s debts as well as provide US$500 million as a loan
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Kuwait refused to give in to territorial demands

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Iraq invades Kuwait
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Within 2 days, most of the Kuwaiti soldiers had given up
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Occupation lasted 7 months until a US led coalition freed Kuwait
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This came to be known as the Persian Gulf
War

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2 August 1990 – 28 February 1991
Saddam Hussein Abd al-
Majid al-Tikriti
George Herbert Walker Bush

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Sunni Muslim
Worried about Shi’a uprising
Saw himself as a great leader
Needed to improve situation in Iraq

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Hussien Misread US position
Did not think America would go to war over Kuwait

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Fear of Iraqi dominance
- Iraq would control 20% of world’s oil production
Saudi Arabia was worried
World was worried for Saudi Arabia
No ‘Arab Solution’

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US decided to intervene in the interest of its ally, Saudi Arabia
(Operation Desert Shield)
More than 30 countries took part in the coalition to liberate Kuwait
UN passed resolution demanding
Iraq to withdraw
Economic Sanctions on Iraq

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August 2, #1
Iraq invades Kuwait and seizes Kuwaiti oil fields. Kuwait's emir flees. Iraq masses troops along the Saudi bordr. U.N. condemns Iraq's invasion and demands withdrawl.

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August 9, #2
First U.S. military forces arrive in
Saudi Arabia. U.N. declares Iraqi annexation of Kuwait void.

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December 17
U.N. sets deadline for Iraqi withdrawal on January 15, 1991.
Hussein rejects all U.N. resolutions.

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August 9, #2
First U.S. military forces arrive in
Saudi Arabia. U.N. declares Iraqi annexation of Kuwait void.

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January 17
Operation Desert Storm begins at 3 a.m. Baghdad time.

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January 19, #3
First scud missiles strike Israel.

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February 26, #8
Hussein announces Iraq's withdrawal from Kuwait.

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War ended with Iraq accepting all UN resolutions.

Was the use of force the only solution?
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Diplomacy did not work (Saddam’s defiance)
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Impact of sanctions would take too long to be of consequence

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Casualties (both civillian and military)
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Destruction of Iraqi military capability
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Political instability (Kurds)
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Suffering of Iraqis

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Environmental catastrophe

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Displacement of foreign workers
(large no. of workers from
Bangladesh, India, Egypt, the
Philippines, Palestine)

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Why do nations go to war?
What motivated the Western decision to go to war in the Gulf?
What motivated Iraq to invade Kuwait?
Why was oil an important factor in the war? Were other factors involved?
How do we distinguish between acts of aggression and acts of defense?
How do we decide what stategy to respond with?
(sanctions, force, etc.)
What role should the United Nations play in conflict situations?

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What do leaders need to consider before going to war?