Analyzing Persian Gulf Crisis Between Iraq And Kuwait Essays

Analyzing Persian Gulf Crisis Between Iraq And Kuwait In analyzing the Persian Gulf Crisis originally between Iraq and Kuwait, one must first understand the factors that contributed to the conflict. In 1980, Iraq carried out a major air and land attack on Iran. For eight years, the Iran-Iraq War grew more intense, until the U.S. accidentally downed an Iranian plane, killing 290 passengers. Three factors contributed to this war: (1) territorial dispute, (2) religious disputes between Islamic moderates and fundamentalists, and more importantly, (3) a personality conflict (also known as ego-mania) between Saddam Hussein, Iraqs president, and Ayatollah Khomein, the leader of Iran. During this war, the U.S. began to provide protection to Kuwaiti tankers, and hence, resulted in military conflicts with Iranian speedboats. Indirectly, the U.S. supported Iraqs actions in this war. While the U.S. was busy protecting Kuwait, Kuwait supported Iraq financially by giving it more than $10 billion. At the close of the Iran-Iraq War in 1990, Iraq was ea ger to pay its international debt. But how? Iraqs chief export was petroleum. According to Iraq, Kuwait was providing a surplus of oil in the international community by exceeding it assigned OPEC quota. Furthermore, Iraq accused Kuwait of stealing nearly $24 billion worth of oil from a location straddling their border. With his back against the wall, Saddam Hussein demanded forgiveness of the debt and $13 to $15 billion in reparations. After little progress in two months, Iraq invaded Kuwait. Immediately after the invasion, the U.S. led a coalition of states determined to protect Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. The Soviet Union was a part of this coalition. For the first time in history, the two superpowers were cooperating, rather than impeding, the Security Councils peacekeeping actions. Though the U.S. indirectly supported Iraq in the past, the Soviet Union ironically served as Iraqs principal supplier of weapons during the 1970s and 1980s. Now, the Soviet Union was teaming in a surprising joint initiative to liberate Kuwait form Iraq. This essay does not attempt to relabel Iraqs actions as just. It merely points out the false security blanket the U.S. and Soviet Union helped to give Iraq. They supported Iraq in a virtually pointless war with Iran, and when Iraq was drowning with the balance of the war and no life jacket its chief export petroleum the world teamed up against her. In any dispute, whether between children or countries, the peacemaker must indicate an understanding, not justification, of acts of war. Just as a child rebels against a parent that does not understand, a country does as such against a world that does not understand. Though the superior usually wins the fight, emotions and thoughts of retaliation only fester in the minds and hearts of the other victim of war. This statement cannot be stated at a more important time in history, as terrorist attack major landmarks in the United States. The offender seeks recognition of a cause. Do just that. Recognize and seek an understanding of the reaso ns and then move on to further actions. Political Issues

Legends Born Not Created essays

Legends Born Not Created essays The greatness of an individual is somewhat determined by contributions made to ones race and assistance provided to ones country. Perhaps, once in a generation, or even rarer, once in a lifetime, there exists that person, created by God, who not only contributes to a race, assists their country, but voyages far beyond greatness and inspires the world. Such a man, such a legend, no, such a hero was born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta Georgia Martin Luther King, Jr. This ordinary man, this individual of theology, this legend, had a dream that was created to last far beyond his own mortality. Through leadership forged with determination and steeled with bravery, a foundation was laid that would lead us all to the promised land of equality. From the Montgomery Bus Boycott to the formation of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference to the March on Memphis, Dr. King remains a bastion (leader) of Black Power. Though the parapet surrounding Dr. King would be breached in Memphis, the work of this man to instill moral right will forever live. Through beliefs imparted in a small Baptist church in Atlanta, Dr. King would lead the March on a nation divided by color and separated by an ocean of indifference. His battle to have his children judged not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character required more than leadership. With bulldog tenacity, (Determination) Dr. King would rally a nation, armed with little more than the teachings of Ghandi and an eloquence of speech. Though Rosa Parks provided the impetus for the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Dr. Kings resolute determination propelled the issue to the United States Supreme Court. The Stride Toward Freedom and Kings manipulation of the public psyche had begun. Using the pulpit provided at the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, King sojourned with an issue lesser ...