Saving Kuwait
The history of American use of its military forces, there are some stand out examples of how America considers its military might be a force for good and justice. And the use of military for a just cause can be beautifully illustrated in the way America came to the aid of an ally in the Gulf War of 1991. This war goes under a lot of names including Operation Desert Storm and the Liberation of Kuwait. But whatever title, it was a battle America needed to enter into because of an unjust invasion of an ally and an act of aggression we could not just stand by and let happen.
The United States and the civilized nations of the world had put up with a lot of barbaric behavior from Saddam Husain, the dictator in Iraq for a long time. He was becoming more and more aggressive in his push to test the will and the ability of advanced nations to stop him. But he crossed the line when on August 2, 1990 Iraq invaded and occupied Kuwait on trumped up charges of illegal drilling of oil on border property between the two countries.
It is important to remember that America and it’s allies did not launch a full scale attack within days or weeks of the Iraqi take over of Kuwait. There were efforts to negotiate and resolve the crisis by peaceful means. But Saddam Hussein defied the world and continued his plan to absorb Kuwait and then possibly take the attack to the next stage into Saudi Arabia.
The Gulf War was also an important statement to the world that America’s allies are important to us and we will defend them if it comes to that. We proved that in World War II, Korea, Vietnam and here in the Middle East. When a country becomes a friend of the United States, it’s enemies become our enemies. And in this unthinkable invasion, not only did Iraq directly assault one of America’s allies, that hostility showed that Saudi Arabia was at risk which was a very important ally as well.
America also leveraged its ability to depend on it’s friends from around the world, rallying a tremendous international force as the preparations for war began to mature. In total, 34 countries sent troops, ships, arms and other military assistance to join with American military power to turn back this invasion.
The other lesson this war taught the enemies of America is the phenomenal effectiveness of the American military. On January 17, 1991, the assault began with a massive air attack that stunned the Iraqis and the world. The ferocity of the bombings and the firestorm that defying the west brought down on the Iraqi military virtually doomed them to ever mount an efficient force to fight back against this overwhelming military response to their aggression.
Following that air attack came one of the most brilliant ground campaigns in modern warfare. Using modern technology, America faced Iraq’s impressive army on their home turf and soundly defeated them. The Iraqi strategy was to keep the massive desert behind them because they felt no enemy could ever navigate that desert and find their rear flank. But was a deadly miscalculation as the coalition forces, lead by General Norman Schwarzkopf, used satellite technology and navigation systems to guide their armies across that desert by night and stage a stunning surprise attack on the Iraqi Republican Guard bringing them to defeat with a decisive blow.
The term “Lightning War” could best be used to describe the l ability of the American lead coalition armies to repel this invasion on Kuwait. By early March of 1991, major hostilities were over and Kuwait had been liberated. To defeat an enemy in less than 90 days was accomplishment the world never thought possible. But demonstrated to the world that America was able to defend its allies and stop a ruthless dictator.
Since that war there has been discussions about whether President Bush should have used the advantage we gained by defeating Saddam’s armies to capture Iraq as well. President Bush showed great wisdom by sticking to the declared mission and returning Kuwait to Kuwaiti control. H shows that President Bush in 1991 was showing wisdom in his leadership which resulted in Operation Desert Storm turning out to be one of the most successful military campaigns in United States history.
Related topics
|
|
|
10/03/2008 08:06 PM |
|
On October 4, 1777, a key battle in the American Revolution occurred at Germantown, Pennsylvania. General George Washington attacked the British garrison located there. He hoped to use surprise to...
|
|
|
10/02/2008 08:13 PM |
|
In Plymouth, Massachusetts, after the fall harvest of 1621, Governor William Bradford asked for a day of prayer and thanksgiving. On October 3, 1863, Abraham Lincoln designated the last...
|
|
|
09/30/2008 08:58 PM |
|
October 1st marks the birthday of President Jimmy Carter. Carter was influential in getting Israel and Egypt to sign the Camp David agreement which ended the hostility between...
|
|
|
09/29/2008 08:57 PM |
|
Over the years, many unique women have held the role of first lady in the United States. Over time, the role of the first lady has evolved. There have been...
|
|
|
09/26/2008 08:19 PM |
|
September 27 marks the birthday of Samuel Adams. Adams was an American colonial revolutionary who participated in organizing the Boston Tea Party. This was a significant event that...
|
|
|
09/26/2008 07:28 AM |
|
In a simple word, yes. All one has to do is look back at the Nixon-Kennedy debates in 1960 - especially the first of the four. This was the first...
|
|
|
09/22/2008 08:22 PM |
|
The Industrial Revolution had a major impact on our world in the past and today. Learn about the inventors and inventions during the Industrial Revolution using this industrial revolution...
|
|
|
09/20/2008 08:44 PM |
|
The Spanish-American War only lasted six months. However, the results of the war would have a huge impact on American imperialism and future military actions. Want to know about the...
|
|
More Articles
When America Proved That Anything Is Possible
The Declaration Of Independence
Related Products And FREE Videos
More Articles
The Declaration Of Independence
... read it either as a private moment of reflection nor with our families. What a wonderful fourth of July tradition that would make. Then as you watch the fireworks celebrating the birth of the country and its independence, you will have those words fresh in your heart to remind you ...
... seldom forget. When you think about it, the very idea of a world war is terribly frightening. And in every way, World War II was a world war because it caught up virtually every country and every continent in a global conflict that went on for years. The enemies of America and her ...
... envision the future so well. He was also a talented communicator, writer and teacher so he was able to use his eloquence and magnetic personality to promote the idea of an American nation both within the colonies and internationally. Benjamin Franklin was truly a citizen of the world ...
When America Proved That Anything Is Possible
... world population to come together and link arms and be one people, not separate countries. Most of the time, it s a terrible global disaster that makes us all bond together. But this time was different. This time is was a moment so phenomenal that everybody stopped and watched and ...
... this brave stand that actually turned the war against this invading army to the advantage of the Americans. The outrage from the slaughter of these men inspired that famous rallying cry that we remember even now centuries later when we hear those words Remember the Alamo . Their stand ...