Nobel Peace Prize

- Awarded by the Norwegian Nobel Committee- Barack Obama was awarded for :1. his efforts to strengthen international diplomacy 2. his vision of a world without nuclear weapons3. his work towards restarting the stalled Middle East peace process

Obama has given people hope for a better future

The Nobel Peace Prize

for 2009

Obama’s work towards restarting the stalled Middle East peace process

Feb 2009:Obama directed military to plan Iraq drawdown

Mar 2009:Obama announced that the US combat mission in Iraq would end by September 2010

Have you ever wondered why are the US troops in Iraq?

Mar 2003:

George Bush announced war against Iraq based on the following reasons:

1. Iraq's alleged possession of weapons of mass destruction which posed a threat to US’s security and that of their regional allies

2. Iraq's involvement in transnational terrorism

Known as the Iraq War

2 Aug 1990: Iraq invaded Kuwait

17 Jan 1991: US with the involvement of other countries invaded Iraq together (Gulf war)

28 Feb 1991: War ended with Iraq accepting terms of resolution

Mar 2003: George Bush announced war against Iraq

Feb 2009: Obama directed military to plan Iraq drawdown

Mar 2009: Obama announced that the US combat mission in Iraq would end by September 2010

Looking at the conflict between 1990-1991, what are some questions you have regarding it or the countries involved?

Managing Peace and Security:

Regional Conflict• Iraq & Kuwait

Causes & Impact

International Conflict • Transnational

Terrorism

Impact

Learning OutcomesAt the end of the lesson, you should be able to:

A. Explain the causes of conflict between Iraq & Kuwait: 1. Historical Enmity

2. Economic Problems 3. Oil Production

4. Territorial Disputes

B. Attempts to Resolve the Problems Between Iraq & Kuwait

C. Immediate Causes of Gulf War

Do you still remember what you have learnt in Sec 3 SS about conflicts?

Why do countries go to war?

MIDDLE

EAST

The Middle East

• Largest group of people living in the Middle East are the Arabs

• Islam is the main religion

• One of the most important oil-producing regions in the world

• Controls a strategic waterway known as the Suez Canal which links Europe to the Middle East and Asia (important trade route)

Saudi Arabia

Kuwait

Iraq

Yemen

Causes of the Gulf War

1. Historical Enmity2. Economic Problems 3. Oil Production4. Territorial Disputes

1. Historical Enmity

Under the Ottoman Empire in the past

Became British colonies and were granted independence from the British in 1961

Do you remember what happened the war between South Korea & North Korea?

What do you think happened between Iraq & Kuwait after they had gained independence?

• Iraq refused to recognise Kuwait’s independence as it claimed that Kuwait was historically a part of Iraq and governed under the same territory when they were both under Ottoman rule

• Iraq had on several occasions claimed sovereignty over Kuwait and even sent troops to claim Kuwait in 1961

• However Iraq was stopped by British and other Arab nations’ troops

1. Historical Enmity (continued)

• In 1963, Iraq gave up its claim on Kuwait after facing pressure from its Arab neighbours and receiving a large sum of money from Kuwait

• However there were several instances where Iraq used its military power to threaten Kuwait over border disputes

1. Historical Enmity (continued)

How do you think this led to the Gulf War?

Iraq never accepted the fact of Kuwait’s independence and Kuwait’s refusal to give in was seen as defiance and a personal attack on Saddam Hussein. Kuwait’s refusal was also a threat toIraq’s national interest. Therefore Iraq decided to attack Kuwait.

Anything that affects the existence, independence, sovereignty, economic development and territorial control of a country

Who is Saddam Hussein?

Looking at the cartoon, what kind of person do you think he was?

Why do you say so?

Who is Saddam Hussein?

• President of Iraq from 16 July 1979 until 9 April 2003

• Always seen himself as a great leader of the Arab world

• Ruthless: Did not allow anyone to oppose him• Captured by US forces in 2003• Convicted of the 1982 killing of 148 Iraqs in

2006• Sentenced to death and executed in 2006

2. Economic ProblemsImpact of Iran-Iraq War (1980 to 1988) on Iraq

• Heavy loss of lives

• Owed about US$80 billion in debts to its neighbours and other countries, such as the US and France (supplied food and war equipment **Kuwait provided Iraq a loan of US$14 billion• Reconstruction of Iraq required US$230 billion• Prices of basic necessities became very high and people became unhappy with Saddam Hussein

Before the war, Iraq was a prosperous country with about

US$35 billion in reserves

2. Economic Problems (continued)

How do you think this led to the Gulf War?

• War with Iran had drained Iraq’s economy• Therefore Iraq needed to attack Kuwait and gain control over its resources in order to ease the economic hardships in Iraq to appease the people

How do you think Iraq can pay off this massive debtand rebuild the country in another way besides Gaining control over Kuwait’s resources ?

By earning more revenue from the sale of oil

3. Oil Production

• However, oil prices were falling due to over-production by some countries

• OPEC had put quotas on the amount of oil that countries can produced to prevent decline in oil prices

• However Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates ignored the quota set

OPEC = Organization of the

Petroleum Exporting Countries

3. Oil Production (continued)

What do you think happened when countries ignored the quota set and produced oil well above their assigned limits?

• Oil prices fell • Iraq lost revenue (lost US$1 billion from oil sales each time oil price fell by US$1)

3. Oil Production (continued)

How do you think this led to the Gulf War?

• Iraq was unhappy as the action of Kuwait & UAE was equivalent to waging an economic war on Iraq (90% of its income came from sale of oil)

•This affected its national interest as this hindered its efforts to repay its debts and rebuild its country

•Therefore it led to Iraq’s decision to attack Kuwait

4. Territorial Disputes

Do you remember what happened between China & India when India gained

its independence from Britain?

What do you think happened when Iraq & Kuwait gained independence?

4. Territorial Disputes (continued)Rumaila oilfield

• As Iraq and Kuwait had inherited their borders from the British, some were not very well-defined

• The unclearly-defined borders between Iraq and Kuwiat had resulted in both sides sharing the profitable Rumaila oilfield

4. Territorial Disputes (continued)• In 1990, Iraq accused Kuwait for stealing oil by drilling for oil from the

Iraqi side using slant-drilling technology

• Iraq demanded Kuwait to stop drilling for oil completely and demanded US$2.4 billion in compensation

• Kuwait refused as it claimed that it had only drilled oil from their side of the oilfield

4. Territorial Disputes (continued)

How do you think this led to the Gulf War?

• Iraq was unhappy as Kuwait’s refusal to Iraq’s demands was seen as defiance and a personal attack on Saddam Hussein who saw himself as a great leader of the Arab world

• Their refusal also affected Iraq’s national interest as Kuwait was depleting oil from the Rumaila oilfield on Iraqi’s side which would affect their oil production

• Therefore Iraq decided to invade Kuwait

4. Territorial Disputes (continued)Bubiyan and Warbah Islands (inherited from the British)

Iraq wanted the islands because:

1. Kuwait has the potential to block off Iraq’s access to the Persian Gulf which would affect Iraq’s oil transportation

2. They would help it gain access to the open waters of the Persian Gulf which create better transport possibilities for Iraq

3. They would enable Iraq to transport oil in greater quantities (Current port, Umm Qasr has shallow waters where big ships cannot dock and has poor port facilities)

PersianGulf

4. Territorial Disputes (continued)Bubiyan and Warbah Islands (inherited from the British)

• Iraq did not accept Kuwait’s ownership of these two islands and had attempted to claim ownership of the islands through force in the 1960s and 1970s but failed.

• From 1978, Iraq wanted to lease the islands from Kuwait, but Kuwait refused because it feared this would open the door for further territorial demands from Iraq.

4. Territorial Disputes (continued)

How do you think this led to the Gulf War?

• Iraq was unhappy as Kuwait’s refusal to give up the islands was seen as defiance and a personal on Saddam Hussein who saw himself as a great leader of the Arab world

• Kuwait’s refusal also affected its national interest as without access to the Persian Gulf, Iraq would find it difficult to export oil which would result in the loss of revenue

• Therefore Iraq decided to invade Kuwait

Bubiyan and Warbah Islands

Attempts to resolve the problems between Iraq and Kuwait?

Mediation by Arab LeagueComplaints made by Iraq against Kuwait over :1.The alleged oil theft over Rumaila oilfield.2.Iraq’s request that Kuwait and rest of Arab

countries should cancel Iraq’ wartime debt to them.

3.Over- production of oil by Kuwait and UAE (that led to Iraq’a economic problems)

4. Territorial issues (Bubiyan and Warbah islands)

Were these attempts at mediation successful?

• Had some successes initially• Iraq managed to get some concessions from

Kuwait and other countries • OPEC countries agreed to increase the price of

oil from US$ 18 to US$21– Iraq would earn more from the sale of oil

• Kuwait promised to write off wartime debts and provide additional US$500 million as a loan to Iraq

POSITIVE

• However, Kuwait refused to concede territory to Iraq nor pay for oil drilled from Rumaila oilfield

IRAQ invaded KUWAIT 2nd August 1990

NEGATIVE

What were the immediate causes of the Iraq-Kuwait conflict?

The negotiations talks between Iraq and Kuwait had been progressing well.Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait had come as a surprise move to many.

What then, were the immediate causes that led to the invasion by Iraq?

What were the immediate causes of the Iraq-Kuwait conflict?

Saddam Hussein’s leadership• Kuwait’s repeated refusal to give

in on the territorial issues and Rumaila oil theft were seen as a personal insult to Saddam.

Iraq’s Official Reason• To free Kuwait from the ruling government at

the request of revolutionaries

What were the immediate causes of the Iraq-Kuwait conflict?

Political problems

• Hussein had deployed a large number of troops at the border of Kuwait.

• The soldiers were getting restless.• Hussein feared that the soldiers would turn

against him if he delayed taking action against Kuwait.

What were the immediate causes of the Iraq-Kuwait conflict?

Misreading the position of the US• Saddam Hussein believed that US was

sympathetic to Iraq’s problems with Kuwait.

• And therefore would not help Kuwait in the event of an Iraqi invasion.

In 1990, a US Ambassador in Iraq declared that "we have no opinion on the Arab-Arab conflicts." She also said that the U.S. did not intend "to start an economic war against Iraq".

Learning OutcomesAt the end of the lesson, you should be able to explain:

A. Reactions to Iraq’s invasion of KuwaitB. Impact of Gulf WarC. Effectiveness of UN

Reactions to the Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait

Reactions from:• The Arab countries• America• United Nations (International response)

Understanding the Gulf War & its Effects

The Players The 4 Stages

Understanding

The Players…

Individual Countries

Regional

International

Iraq

Arab League (including Saudi Arabia & Middle East)

US & Coalition ForcesUN

Kuwait

The 4 Stages of the Gulf War

Stage 1 : Why Iraq invaded Kuwait (Recall)

Stage 2: When Iraq first invaded Kuwait

Stage 3: When Iraq was in full-blown invasion

Stage 4: Review of Gulf War – The Effects…

The Gulf War

the war fought between Iraq and a coalition led by the United States that freed Kuwait from Iraqi invaders

1990-1991

Timeline of Gulf War 2 August 1990 — Iraq invades Kuwait. Saddam Hussein proclaims

Kuwait as a province of Iraq. 7 August 1990 — Operation Desert Shield begins. The first US forces

arrive in Saudi Arabia. 29 November 1990 — UN authorizes any force necessary to remove Iraqi

forces from Kuwait. Iraqis are given to 15 January to leave Kuwait. 21 January 1991 — Congress grants President George H.W. Bush the

authority to use military force. 15 January 1991 — Deadline passes for Iraqi withdrawal. 16 January 1991 — Air campaign begins against military leadership

targets in Kuwait and Iraq (concentrating on Baghdad).

Timeline of Gulf War24 February 1991 — Desert Storm begins as coalition ground forces

drive on Iraqi forces in Kuwait. 28 February 1991 — After 100 hours, Iraq agrees to a ceasefire. Iraqi

forces have retreated from Kuwait. The United States (under the leadership of President George H.W. Bush, Defense Secretary Dick Cheney and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Colin Powell) is satisfied with U.N. objectives and does not push on to Baghdad. Within Iraq, Saddam brutally crushes Shi'ite and Kurdish opposition.

3 March 1991 — Iraq accepts conditions for a permanent cease fire.

Stage 1: Why Iraq invaded Kuwait

Can you recall why Iraq invaded Kuwait?

Stage 2: When Iraq first invaded Kuwait

Regional – Fear of Iraqi Dominance

a. With Iraq occupying Kuwait, they control 20% of world’s oil

production

b. Iraqi army now at Kuwait – Saudi Arabia

border

• Iraq might set a high price for oil to solve its economic problems• Create problems for world economy

• Iraq might invade Saudi Arabia for its resources• Saudi Arabia was no match for Iraq

What is the fear? What is the fear?

Regional – ‘Arab Solution’

Kuwait appealed to Arab League for help (did not want western help)

Arab League called upon Iraq to withdraw troops, but not all the Arab countries supported this.

Why no Western help?

Effectiveness of vote?

Did not want a return of western imperialism

Not effective as some Arab countries had alliances with Iraq

International – America’s Response

b. Operation Desert Shield launched with a coalition of more than 30 countries

providing troops, equipment etc

a. Responded to Saudi Arabia’s invitation to

help defend their kingdom

Main Reason for Response

- Cannot allow a ruthless country dominate oil production

Effect if Iraq did have control of

oil production???

1. Iraq would have great economic & military power2. Iraq would have the arrogance to intimidate and coerce its neighbours who control the world’s remaining oil reserves

International – UN’s Response

UN passed a resolution

Demanding for immediate Iraqi withdrawal

Called for immediate & intensive negotiations between

Iraq & Kuwait Froze Kuwait’s and Iraq’s assets worldwide to stop use of

funds by Iraq

Economic & Political sanctions: No country to sell Iraq goods,

as 90% of Iraq’s goods are imported

Stage 3: When Iraq was in full-blown invasion

Country – Iraq’s Response

a. Initially, Iraq seemed compliant when Arab leaders called for a resolution. Agreed to withdraw from Kuwait, provided a different Kuwaiti government is formed

Saddam’s Actions…

b. Once Arab League condemned his actions, Saddam Hussein became defiant

- Announced the Annexation of Kuwait

- Iraqis took westerners in Iraq & Kuwait hostage

Reaction of the International Community?

International – UN & US

Coalition troops started pouring

into Saudi Arabia

UN gave a deadline for Iraq

to withdraw troops (15th Jan

1991)

US arranged for meeting

between Iraq & US Secretary of

State

We will still press on!!

International – UN & US

- Since Iraq did not comply with diplomatic efforts, need to FORCE Iraq out of Kuwait

Operation Desert Storm

Iraq accepted defeat & ALL UN resolutions

Destroyed Iraq’s command & control capabilities

Coalition regained Kuwait City

Stage 4: Review of WarConsequences of Gulf War

1. Impact on Kuwait

2. Impact on Iraq (a) Destruction of Iraqi military capability (b) Political instability in Iraq (c) Suffering of Iraqis

3. Regional & International Impact (a) Environment catastrophe (b) Displacement of foreign workers

Stage 4: Review of WarConsequences of Gulf War

1. Impact on Kuwait

-> 1,000 Kuwaiti civilians killed, thousands tortured by Iraqi soldiers

-Kuwaitis were treated harshly & forced to flee their country

-Businesses, hospitals were looted by Iraqi soldiers

-Iraqi army set fire to Kuwaiti oil wells, losses of US$25 billion

2. Impact on Iraq

a. Destruction of Iraqi military capability

b. Political Instability in Iraq

c. Suffering of Iraqis

2. Impact on Iraq

a. Destruction of Iraqi military capability

-Before invasion, Iraq had one of the most impressive military powers in Middle East

-After the Gulf war, 1/3 of Iraq’s capabilities were destroyed by coalition forces

What happened to Iraq during the war?

Coalition had state of the art weapons

Iraqi air defence destroyed

No way to protect Iraqi ground troops

Loss of morale of the Iraqi soldiers

(many surrendered instead of fight)

Fleeing soldiers & ground troops

attacked

1/3 Iraqi’s capabilities destroyed

Kurds in Iraq

Have wanted a homeland of their

own for a long time

Encouraged by the coalition forces to stand up against

Sadam

Thought the coalition forces

would support them, but they did not

Thousands of Kurds massacred

& 1 million fled the country

b. Political Instability

- Large amount of Iraqi infrastructure destroyed by coalition forces

- Electricity supply destroyed- Could not operate water purification &

sewage facilities as there was no electricity- Spread of disease

c. Suffering of Iraqis

- When Iraq realized that they were losing the battle, they set fire to Kuwaiti oil wells and dumped oil into the Persian Gulf

- Marine life became threatened- Cost millions of dollars to put out the fires and

clear the oil slick from the Persian Gulf

3. Regional & International Impact (a) Environment catastrophe

- At the time of Iraq’s invasion, early 2 million foreign workers (Bangladesh, India, Egypt … ) were working in Kuwait

- Fled Kuwait when war broke out

- Lost of income- Families suffered

3. Regional & International Impact (b) Displacement of foreign workers

Was the UN Successful at maintaining PEACE & STABILITY?

YES, why?

- A lot of countries helped, self-interest, didn’t want iraq to have all the share and cause price of oil to increase

- US (militarily strong, strong leadership)