ABSTRACT
The Persian Gulf Crisis of 1990–1991, which ended in the massive defeat of Iraq, represented neither the last of the Cold War nor the first indication of a new era. In the absence of a major danger of escalation to superpower confrontation, there was little to prevent the coalition from attacking except for the fear of the use of unconventional weapons by Iraq. In Middle East crises from 1945 to 1990, war had occurred by the action of superpower clients, in some cases despite Soviet or American attempts to restrain them. The interplay between Congress and the administration undermined both approaches and left American policy toward Iraq confused and thus inadequate in the months prior to the invasion of Kuwait. The unspectacular demonstration of American military prowess in Vietnam, Grenada, and even Panama would not have contributed to predictions of the overwhelming superiority of US arms that led to a quick victory.
