Conflict and Tension in the Gulf and Afghanistan, 1990–2009

Overview:

Between 1990 and 2009, the Gulf region and Afghanistan became central to global geopolitics and military conflicts. This period was marked by significant events such as the Gulf War (1990–1991), the Iraq War (2003), and the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan that followed the September 11 attacks. These wars were heavily influenced by the involvement of global superpowers, especially the United States, and they reshaped the political and military landscape of the Middle East.

This page will cover the following key areas of study:

• The Gulf War (1990–1991)

• The Iraq War (2003–2011)

• The Afghanistan Conflict (2001–2009)

• The Role of the United States and the United Nations

• Key Individuals and Leaders

• Key Themes and Concepts

• Revision Resources & Exam Tips

1. The Gulf War (1990–1991)

Background:

• Iraq invades Kuwait (1990): In August 1990, Iraq, led by President Saddam Hussein, invaded its neighboring country, Kuwait, in an attempt to gain control of its oil resources.

• International response: The United Nations condemned the invasion, and the United States, alongside a coalition of allied nations, mobilized military forces to drive Iraq out of Kuwait.

Key Events:

• Operation Desert Shield (1990–1991): The initial phase of the conflict where coalition forces, led by the United States, deployed to Saudi Arabia to protect it from potential Iraqi aggression.

• Operation Desert Storm (1991): The combat phase of the war, which began with a massive air campaign against Iraq, followed by a swift ground assault that liberated Kuwait and defeated the Iraqi military.

• Ceasefire and aftermath: A ceasefire was declared in February 1991, but Saddam Hussein remained in power in Iraq, leading to long-term tensions in the region.

Key Issues to Revise:

• The role of the United Nations in the Gulf War and its effectiveness in managing international conflict.

• The motivations behind Iraq's invasion of Kuwait and the global response.

• The military strategies used in Operation Desert Storm, particularly the air campaign and the ground assault.

• The aftermath of the Gulf War and its long-term consequences for Iraq and the region.

2. The Iraq War (2003–2011)

Background:

• The lead-up to the war: In 2003, the United States, under President George W. Bush, accused Iraq of possessing weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and having ties to terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda. This led to the decision to invade Iraq.

• The invasion: In March 2003, a U.S.-led coalition launched a military invasion of Iraq, with the goal of toppling Saddam Hussein's regime and eliminating the threat of WMDs.

Key Events:

• The fall of Baghdad (2003): The rapid advance of coalition forces led to the fall of Baghdad and the eventual capture of Saddam Hussein.

• The insurgency (2003–2007): After the fall of Saddam Hussein's government, Iraq descended into a violent insurgency, with various factions, including Sunni extremists, Shiite militias, and Kurdish groups, fighting for control of the country.

• The surge (2007): In response to the escalating violence, the U.S. sent additional troops to Iraq in a "surge" strategy, aimed at stabilizing the country and defeating insurgents.

• The withdrawal of U.S. troops (2011): After nearly a decade of conflict, U.S. forces withdrew from Iraq, leaving behind a fragile and divided state.

Key Issues to Revise:

• The justification for the invasion of Iraq and the international debate surrounding the legitimacy of the war.

• The impact of the invasion on Iraq’s political and social structure, including sectarian violence and the rise of ISIS.

• The strategies used by the U.S. and its allies to combat the insurgency and stabilize Iraq.

• The long-term consequences of the Iraq War for U.S. foreign policy and the Middle East.

3. The Afghanistan Conflict (2001–2009)

Background:

• The September 11 attacks (2001): In response to the September 11 attacks on the United States, the U.S. launched a military campaign against the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, which had provided sanctuary to al-Qaeda.

• Operation Enduring Freedom (2001): In October 2001, the U.S., supported by NATO forces, began bombing Taliban positions and targeting al-Qaeda leaders.

Key Events:

• The fall of the Taliban (2001): Within months of the U.S. invasion, the Taliban regime collapsed, and many al-Qaeda leaders, including Osama bin Laden, went into hiding.

• The ongoing insurgency (2002–2009): Despite the fall of the Taliban, the insurgency continued, with Taliban forces regrouping in rural areas and launching attacks on both Afghan and NATO troops.

• The international response: NATO took control of the security situation in Afghanistan, while the U.S. provided ongoing military support to the new Afghan government led by Hamid Karzai.

• The rise of Taliban resurgence (2006-2009): By the mid-2000s, the Taliban regained strength and began to mount large-scale attacks against Afghan forces and international troops, leading to a prolonged conflict.

Key Issues to Revise:

• The role of al-Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan, and the U.S. and NATO’s response to the terrorist threat.

• The challenges faced by the U.S. and its allies in rebuilding Afghanistan after the Taliban's fall.

• The effectiveness of the military strategy in Afghanistan and the rise of insurgency forces.

• The involvement of international organizations, particularly NATO, in the Afghanistan conflict.

4. The Role of the United States and the United Nations

United States:

• Global leadership in military interventions: The U.S. was the leading force in both the Gulf War, Iraq War, and Afghanistan conflict, shaping the course of these wars with its military, economic, and political influence.

• War on Terror: The U.S. declared a "War on Terror" after the 9/11 attacks, which justified military interventions in Afghanistan and later Iraq.

United Nations:

• UN Security Council: The UN played a key role in authorizing the Gulf War in 1990, but was divided over the Iraq War in 2003. It was also involved in the post-war reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Key Issues to Revise:

• The political and military role of the U.S. in shaping the Middle East conflicts.

• The effectiveness of the UN in managing international peace and security, especially regarding the Gulf War and Iraq War.

5. Key Individuals and Leaders

• Saddam Hussein: President of Iraq, whose invasion of Kuwait in 1990 and later actions led to both the Gulf War and the Iraq War.

• George W. Bush: U.S. President during the Iraq War, whose decision to invade Iraq in 2003 led to significant controversy and long-lasting conflict in the region.

• Osama bin Laden: Leader of al-Qaeda, whose terrorist network was responsible for the 9/11 attacks, leading to the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan.

• Tony Blair: Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, a key ally of the U.S. in both the Gulf War and Iraq War.

• Hamid Karzai: The leader of Afghanistan after the fall of the Taliban, who worked with the U.S. and NATO forces to rebuild Afghanistan.

• Colin Powell: U.S. Secretary of State who presented the case for war with Iraq to the UN, citing the threat of weapons of mass destruction.

6. Key Themes and Concepts

War on Terror:

• The global initiative led by the United States to combat terrorism, which drove the military actions in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The Role of International Coalitions:

• The formation of coalitions led by the U.S. and supported by countries like the UK, Saudi Arabia, and others, for military intervention and post-conflict reconstruction.

Impact of Military Interventions:

• The consequences of military intervention, including destabilization, civil conflict, and the emergence of extremist groups such as ISIS.

Humanitarian Issues:

• The humanitarian cost of the wars, including civilian casualties, refugee crises, and long-term socio-economic impacts on Iraq and Afghanistan.

7. Revision Resources

Key Concept Overviews:

• Overview of key concepts such as the War on Terror, the role of international coalitions, and the rise of extremism.

Timelines & Diagrams:

• Interactive timeline of key events in the Gulf War, Iraq War, and Afghanistan conflict.

• Diagrams illustrating military strategies, coalition forces, and key battle locations.

Revision Videos:

• The Gulf War Overview: Video explaining the causes and key events of the 1990–1991 Gulf War.

• Iraq War and Afghanistan Conflict: A video covering the events leading to the Iraq War and U.S. interventions in Afghanistan.

Flashcards & Quizzes:

• Flashcards covering key terms, people, events, and policies related to the Gulf and Afghanistan conflicts.

• Quizzes testing knowledge on key military events, causes of the conflicts, and their global impact.

8. Exam Tips

• Essay Writing: How to structure essays on topics like the causes of the Iraq War, the War on Terror, and the impact of the Gulf War on international relations.

• Source Analysis: Strategies for analyzing historical sources related to the Gulf War and Afghanistan conflicts.

• Time Management: Tips for managing time effectively in your exam, particularly for complex essay questions and source-based questions.