The Gulf Flashcards
1
Q
Describe the international reaction to Saddam’s invasion of Kuwait and Saddam’s consequent reaction to the opposition
A
- surprised but unanimous
- Arab states condemned the invasion
- UN imposed sanctions: no country to trade with Iraq until they withdrew from Kuwait
- Saddam said he’d withdraw only when Israelis withdrew from Palestinian lands
- gunned down and arrested Kuwaitis
- used foreigners as hostages and used as human shields
2
Q
How did the international community form a coalition against Saddam?
A
- US built up large naval, land, and air forces
- 700,000 American, British, French troops assembled In Saudi Arabia
- Egypt, Syria set troops
- Pakistan, Bangladesh sent troops
- Saudi Arabia assembled 100,000 soldiers
- overall 34 countries in coalition
3
Q
What were the strengths of the coalition?
A
- complete air superiority: more up to date weapons eg helicopter gunships
- US was able to persuade Israelis not to retaliate when Saddam fired missiles at them
- better trained troops
- better equipment
4
Q
List some Iraqi weaknesses
A
- Saddam failed to split the Arab and west when he tried to involve Israel by firing missiles
- unmotivated soldiers because they were conscripts
5
Q
Why did the coalition not overthrow Saddam?
What were the consequences?
A
- UN mission was restricted to the liberation of Kuwait
- Arab allies would not have supported the overthrow of Saddam, as it wasn’t agreed upon
- the coalition would split if Baghdad were attacked
- ceasefire imposed instead
- Iraq had to recognize Kuwait sovereignty
- pay reparations
- Iraqi aircrafts can’t enter no fly zones in Kurdish north and south
- had to comply with weapons inspection from UN, destroy WMD
- until WMD destroyed, UN sanctions to continue to be imposed
6
Q
How far did Saddam cooperate with UN weapons inspectors after the First Gulf War?
A
- cooperated - gave away several kilos of uranium
- UNSCOM unable to eliminate all biological weapons
- 1995 Iraq confessed to production of anthrax and nerve gas and but that it was destroyed
- Saddam’s son in law said that Saddam’s second son In law was entrusted with hiding WMD
- US suspicious and demand regime change ie removal of Saddam
7
Q
How did the sanctions on Iraq following the First Gulf War impact the country?
A
- blockade prevented imports of machinery, fertilizers, medicine, books
- 1/4 of toddlers malnourished in Baghdad
- by 1997 7,000 children dead each month due to hunger and disease
- contaminated water and widespread dysentery due because they’re not allowed to import chlorine, as it might be used for chemical weapons
8
Q
How did Saddam’s regime survive UN sanctions after the First Gulf War?
A
- didn’t increase opposition
- he used more violence and terror to control resources and reward supporters
- disloyal elements of the army were purged
- a special army unit was created to protect Saddam
- nearly all top government jobs went to Sunnis
- roads, bridges, electricity systems were rebuilt
- army was still the biggest in the Arab world
- Saddam allowed filming of mass suffering
- depicted Iraq as victims
- international opinion turned against sanctions
9
Q
How did Iraq emerge from international isolation from late 1990s onwards?
A
- 1997 Saddam denied UN inspectors access to presidential palace
- 1998 he turned Arab states against USA when they bombed Iraqi military sites despite agreement over no more WMD
- Madeline Albright said mass starvation was “worth it”: caused widespread anger towards US
- Arab states start to trade with Iraq again
- 1999 UN approved unlimited oil exports from Iraq
10
Q
What were the consequences of the 1953 coup?
A
- increased security of west’s oil supplies
- decreased chance of Soviet interference in Iran
- overturned the popular democratic government
- western companies secure 40% profit
- Iran becomes close ally of west
11
Q
describe the 1953 coup
A
- British and US want to overthrow Mossadeq
- under pressure, Mossadeq dismissed by the Shah
- more pro-western PM put in place
- Mossadeq was imprisoned and put on trial
- Iranian parliament was closed down
12
Q
Describe the Iranian revolution
A
- Jan 1979 the Shah left Iran for cancer treatment and never returned
- Khomeini returns from exile and declares the Islamic Revolution
- Shah’s PM flees
- most of the army declares revolution
- national referendum produces large majority in favor of ABOLISHING MONARCHY and establishing an Islamic Republic
13
Q
What were the causes of the Iran-Iraq War?
A
- Khomeini called on Iraqis to overthrow Saddam
- seen as a threat
- Saddam had evidence that Iran assassinated members of Baathist party, feared he’s next
- opportunity to gain territory
- Iran’s long coastline and ports good for oil exports
- gains complete control over SHATT AL-ARAB waterway
- south west Iran is oil rich
- Iran is weak
- economy in crisis after fall of Shahs regime
- western boycott due to attack on the US embassy
- Iranian army demoralized
14
Q
How was Saddam able to rise to power?
A
- used oil wealth to build education, health, welfare services, making him more popular
- placed family and friends in positions of power
- used indoctrination and rotated officers to avoid opposition
- used secret policy to dominate Ba’ath party and the army
15
Q
Why did Saddam invade Kuwait in 1990?
A
- $80 billion debt
- only way to pay off is to increase oil production
- as he was part of OPEC, increased oil production would drop prices which he didn’t want
- Kuwait was the one to refuse his request
- they requests repayment of funds given during the war
- Saddam accused Kuwait of drilling under Iraq’s borders to taking their oil
