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Managing Peace and Security: Regional and International Conflict. What is the chapter about?. What were the causes and the consequences of the Iraq-Kuwait conflict? How was the conflict between Iraq and Kuwait resolved? How can transnational terrorism be managed?.
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Managing Peace and Security: Regional and International Conflict
What is the chapter about? • What were the causes and the consequences of the Iraq-Kuwait conflict? • How was the conflict between Iraq and Kuwait resolved? • How can transnational terrorism be managed?
Remember what we learnt in the last lesson..? - all countries want to protect their national interests - conflicts occur when countries do not agree with one another on various issues which might threaten their national interests
Conflict Resolution • Conflicts can be resolved through diplomacy • Conflicts that cannot be solved through peaceful means may lead to war • These conflicts may impact surrounding countries in the region and at times, even the world
Middle East • Countries: Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Yemen
Middle East • People: Arabs, Turks, Kurds, Jews • Religions: Islam, Judaism, Christianity
Middle East • Per Capita Income can vary from US$23,000 in richer nations to US$800 in poorer nations • Such differences has caused resentment between countries of the middle east
Why is the Middle East so important to the world? • It is one of the most important oil producing regions in the world • It controls a strategic waterway, the Suez Canal which links Europe to Asia
Iraq Kuwait Neighbours Both former British colonies Both were under the Ottoman Empire
Iraq and Kuwait • Kuwait granted independence in 1961 • Iraq refused to recognise independence • Iraq tried to invade Kuwait in 1960’s but failed • 1963 – Iraq gave up claim over Kuwait • Iraq and Kuwait worked together during Iran-Iraq war
What worsened the relationship between Iraq and Kuwait? • Economic problems in Iraq - Iraq suffered tremendously during the war with Iran - It owed about US$80 billion in debts - Reconstruction of war-torn areas required US$230 billion
What worsened the relationship between Iraq and Kuwait? • Oil production - Falling oil prices due to overproduction by countries like UAE and Kuwait - Iraq lost a lot of revenue and blamed UAE and Kuwait for waging an economic war
What worsened the relationship between Iraq and Kuwait? • Dispute over territory Rumaila Oilfields
Were there attempts to resolve the problems between Iran and Kuwait? • Mediation by the Arab League
Remember ASEAN? • Association of Southeast Asian Nations
Was mediation successful? • Kuwait agreed to produce oil according to OPEC quota • Iraq still accused Kuwait of having plans to produce more oil • Iraq assured league that as long as negotiations were underway, he would not use force against Kuwait
Was mediation successful? • OPEC ministers agreed to raise the price of oil so that Iraq could make more revenue for its reconstruction efforts • Kuwait agreed to write off Iraq’s debts as well as provide US$500 million as a loan • Kuwait refused to give in to territorial demands
02 AUGUST 1990 • Iraq invades Kuwait • Within 2 days, most of the Kuwaiti soldiers had given up • Occupation lasted 7 months until a US led coalition freed Kuwait • This came to be known as the Persian Gulf War
Persian Gulf War • 2 August 1990 – 28 February 1991 Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti George Herbert Walker Bush
Why War? • Sunni Muslim • Worried about Shi’a uprising • Saw himself as a great leader • Needed to improve situation in Iraq
Why War? • Hussien Misread US position • Did not think America would go to war over Kuwait
Reactions to the invasion • Fear of Iraqi dominance - Iraq would control 20% of world’s oil production • Saudi Arabia was worried • World was worried for Saudi Arabia • No ‘Arab Solution’
Reactions to the invasion • US decided to intervene in the interest of its ally, Saudi Arabia (Operation Desert Shield) • More than 30 countries took part in the coalition to liberate Kuwait • UN passed resolution demanding Iraq to withdraw • Economic Sanctions on Iraq
Timeline • August 2, #1Iraq invades Kuwait and seizes Kuwaiti oil fields. Kuwait's emir flees. Iraq masses troops along the Saudi bordr. U.N. condemns Iraq's invasion and demands withdrawl.
Timeline • August 9, #2First U.S. military forces arrive in Saudi Arabia. U.N. declares Iraqi annexation of Kuwait void.
December 17U.N. sets deadline for Iraqi withdrawal on January 15, 1991. Hussein rejects all U.N. resolutions.
Timeline • August 9, #2First U.S. military forces arrive in Saudi Arabia. U.N. declares Iraqi annexation of Kuwait void.
Timeline • January 17Operation Desert Storm begins at 3 a.m. Baghdad time.
Timeline • January 19, #3First scud missiles strike Israel.
Timeline • February 26, #8Hussein announces Iraq's withdrawal from Kuwait.
Timeline • War ended with Iraq accepting all UN resolutions.
Was the use of force the only solution? • Diplomacy did not work (Saddam’s defiance) • Impact of sanctions would take too long to be of consequence
Impact of the conflict • Casualties (both civillian and military) • Destruction of Iraqi military capability • Political instability (Kurds) • Suffering of Iraqis
Impact of the conflict • Environmental catastrophe
Impact of the conflict • Displacement of foreign workers (large no. of workers from Bangladesh, India, Egypt, the Philippines, Palestine)
Why do nations go to war? • What motivated the Western decision to go to war in the Gulf? • What motivated Iraq to invade Kuwait? • Why was oil an important factor in the war? Were other factors involved? • How do we distinguish between acts of aggression and acts of defense? • How do we decide what stategy to respond with? (sanctions, force, etc.) • What role should the United Nations play in conflict situations?
