Operation Desert Storm

The invasion of Kuwait, home to one of the largest oilfields in the world, by Saddam Hussein‘s Iraq in 1990 was the catalyst for the Second Gulf War, which pitted Iraq against an international coalition. In Operation Desert Storm in early 1991, this coalition quickly drove the Iraqi army from Kuwait in the largest Allied mobilization since the Second World War over 40 years earlier. In just 50 minutes, you will find out about the events leading up to this crucial military operation, including Operation Desert Shield, and understand its major impact on the global political situation.

This straightforward and informative book provides a thorough discussion of the reasons for Saddam’s invasion of Kuwait and the strategies of the international coalition during the combat, including in particular their use of carpet bombing. It also features a valuable introduction to the political and social context, biographies of the main commanders and leaders and an analysis of the consequences of the battle, both within Iraq and across the rest of the region, giving you all the information you need to understand this major event in the Middle East.

About Operation Desert Storm

Operation Desert Storm was the only confrontation of the Second Gulf War, and was fought by Iraq under Saddam Hussein and an international coalition of 34 countries, led by the United States. It comprised aerial bombardment on a vast scale and a four-day ground campaign which swept away the Iraqi troops and kept Kuwait’s rich oil fields out of Saddam’s hands. It resulted in violent reprisals against internal rebellions in Iraq and a new order in the Middle East, marked in particular by the increased influence of the United States.

This clear and accessible 42-page book is structured as follows:

• Introduction to Operation Desert Storm
• Political and social context
  • The reasons for the invasion of Kuwait
  • The first phase of the conflict: Iraq-Kuwait altercation
  • The second phase: UN intervention and Operation Desert Shield
• Commanders and leaders
  • Saddam Hussein, Iraqi statesman
  • Herbert Norman Schwarzkopf, US General
• Analysis of Operation Desert Storm
  • The third phase of the Gulf War: Operation Desert Storm
  • The air attack: “carpet bombing”
  • The 100-hour ground attack
  • The withdrawal of the Iraqi troops
  • The outcome of an unequal battle
  • Significant collateral damage
• Impact of Operation Desert Storm
  • Fomenting the revolt
  • Iraq: an ever-present dictator and an uncertain future
  • A new world order is established
• Summary