Gulf War

What happened

Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait (Aug 1990) for its oil and territory. US, EU, and Arab states formed a coalition to liberate Kuwait. Air campaign (Jan-Feb 1991) devastated Iraqi military and infrastructure. Ground campaign (Feb 1991) lasted 100 hours; coalition forces routed Iraqi forces. Kuwait was liberated; Iraq's military was shattered. Approximately 25,000-200,000 Iraqis died (estimates vary widely); 300+ coalition soldiers died. Saddam remained in power; US refrained from marching to Baghdad. Post-war sanctions severely damaged Iraqi economy and civilian population.

Why it mattered

The Gulf War was the first major post-Cold War conflict and demonstrated US military dominance. The war showed the effectiveness of precision air power (though civilian casualties were high). The war established a US-led international order and showcased the UN Security Council's ability to authorize force. However, leaving Saddam in power allowed him to suppress Shia and Kurdish uprisings brutally. Post-war sanctions (Iraq War Syndrome) killed 500,000+ Iraqi children according to some estimates—a humanitarian catastrophe. The war planted seeds for the 2003 Iraq War; unresolved tensions in Iraq persisted. The war established the Middle East as a primary arena for US military intervention, beginning the 'War on Terror' that would define 21st-century US foreign policy.