ABSTRACT
As relations between the United States and the Soviet Union improved towards the end of the 1980s, so some analysts began to suggest that a new, and more peaceful, world order might be created. The easing of Cold War tensions made it seem highly unlikely that a major war would be fought by either of the superpowers. However, in early 1991 the Gulf War shattered that optimistic view. During the six weeks of the war, over 100,000 people were killed, two countries were physically crippled and two more were badly damaged economically.
