Saddam Hussein and the Crisis in the Persian Gulf


 

Publication Date: November 1990

Publisher: Heritage Foundation (Washington, D.C.)

Author(s): James A. Phillips

Research Area: International relations

Keywords: Middle East

Type: Report

Coverage: Iraq

Abstract:

Saddam will not withdraw his troops from Kuwait unless credibly threatened with overwhelming force: Confronted with such a formidable global alliance, Saddam might relinquish Kuwait and risk the wrath of his own countrymen, rather than risk a war that he and his regime would not survive. But if he fails to withdraw, a United Nations mandated war against Iraq would be preferable to a Munich-like settlement that would reward Iraqi aggression and leave Saddam Hussein free to plot future aggressions.