ABSTRACT
The Gulf States had provided Iraq with interest-free loans, which were still recorded as debts by Kuwait and the UAE. While the Gulf War was on, the United States encouraged the Iraqis to overthrow the tyrant—Saddam Hussein—who had led them into bloody conflict. Now the main concern of the US was becoming clear: to avoid the disintegration of Iraq after the Gulf War. Two contradictory lessons emerged from the second Gulf War: how to build an effective United Nations coalition to launch a war with international approval; and how to survive defeat by remaining in power. The hero of the first lesson was President George Bush (Sr.) of the United States; the villain of the second, President Saddam Hussein of Iraq. Sadly, Bush's "heroism" was badly marred by his failure to sanction the removal of the villain.
