Question 1

Why did Saddam Hussein invade Kuwait in 1990?

Accepted Answer

Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait for several reasons: he accused Kuwait of stealing Iraqi oil through slant drilling, he wanted to cancel Iraq's debts from the Iran–Iraq War, and he aimed to gain control of Kuwait's oil reserves to increase Iraq's power. He also believed the international community would not intervene, as the US had previously signalled a lack of interest in regional disputes. The invasion led to the Gulf War and a US-led coalition.

Question 2

What were the consequences of the Iran–Iraq War?

Accepted Answer

The Iran–Iraq War had devastating consequences: over 500,000 soldiers and civilians died, both economies were ruined, and Iraq was left with a $80 billion debt. The war also led to the use of chemical weapons by Iraq against Iranian troops and Kurdish civilians. It weakened both countries, making Iraq more desperate for oil revenue (leading to the invasion of Kuwait) and Iran more isolated internationally.

Question 3

Why did the US and UK invade Iraq in 2003?

Accepted Answer

The US and UK invaded Iraq in 2003 primarily because they believed Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) that posed a threat to global security. They also accused him of supporting terrorism and violating UN resolutions. However, no WMDs were found after the invasion, leading to criticism that the war was based on flawed intelligence. Other motives included regime change and securing oil interests.

Question 4

What was the role of the UN in the Gulf conflicts?

Accepted Answer

The UN played a key role in the Gulf War (1990-91) by passing Resolution 678, which authorised the use of force to expel Iraq from Kuwait. After the war, the UN imposed sanctions on Iraq and established no-fly zones to protect Kurds and Shias. However, the UN did not authorise the 2003 Iraq War, as the US and UK failed to secure a second resolution. This led to accusations that the invasion was illegal under international law.

Question 5

How did the Iranian Revolution lead to the Iran–Iraq War?

Accepted Answer

The Iranian Revolution in 1979 created a Shia Islamic Republic under Ayatollah Khomeini, who called for the overthrow of Sunni Arab monarchies. Saddam Hussein, a Sunni leader in Iraq, feared that Iran's revolution would inspire Iraq's Shia majority to rebel. He also saw an opportunity to seize territory (the Shatt al-Arab waterway) and become the dominant power in the Gulf while Iran's military was weakened by the revolution. This led to Iraq's invasion in September 1980.

Question 6

What were the no-fly zones in Iraq and why were they established?

Accepted Answer

After the Gulf War, the US, UK, and France established no-fly zones in northern and southern Iraq to protect Kurdish and Shia populations from Iraqi government attacks. The northern zone (above the 36th parallel) was set up in 1991 after Saddam's forces suppressed a Kurdish uprising, and the southern zone (below the 33rd parallel) was created in 1992 to protect Shia Muslims. These zones were enforced by coalition air patrols until the 2003 invasion.

Tensions in the Gulf

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