The U.S. victory in the Gulf War was of the type from which many drew warning rather than celebration. The six month build-up of overwhelming force in theater only to face a very weak and extremely poorly led foe did not exactly send a signal to America’s would-be adversaries that the U.S. was too powerful for them. While the U.S. accomplished its major objective of expelling Iraq from Kuwait, it failed to bring stability to the region. Saddam Hussein was left in power and the end of the war only commenced a twelve-year enforcement of no-fly zones in northern and southern Iraq. The conventional-type fight that was the Gulf War was the kind of warfare for which the U.S. dedicated itself following its demoralizing loss in the counterinsurgency fight in Vietnam. It was a display of the military’s AirLand Battle doctrine, and was the way the U.S. intended to fight the Soviets on the plains of Europe in the event that the Red Army stormed the Fulda Gap. But there were plenty of warning signs that suggested the U.S. was fortunate to be facing Saddam’s forces and not the Kremlin’s. Against the Soviets in Europe, the U.S. would not be afforded the luxury of building up forces for six months prior to the commencement of hostilities. Lightly armored forces—the first ones to deploy into the southwest Asian theater—would be no match for heavy Soviet divisions. Air power alone could not dislodge even the Iraqis from their Kuwaiti redoubts. How much less effective would it be against more capable Soviet forces? Nevertheless, some positive things were accomplished. To a certain extent, the military was able to erase the stigma of Vietnam and garner widespread national appreciation for the job it does for the nation. Valuable experience was gained that stood the U.S. in good stead when, a dozen years later, its forces would be called upon again to take on the Iraqi Army. Diplomatically, there was much to be admired in the way the U.S. forged and managed such a broad and diverse coalition—also something that would pay dividends down the road. The bottom line is that the Gulf war was a victory for the U.S. and victories are something you take whenever you can get them, no matter how ugly they might be.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
The U.S. victory in the Gulf War
The U.S. victory in the Gulf War was of the type from which many drew warning rather than celebration. The six month build-up of overwhelming force in theater only to face a very weak and extremely poorly led foe did not exactly send a signal to America’s would-be adversaries that the U.S. was too powerful for them. While the U.S. accomplished its major objective of expelling Iraq from Kuwait, it failed to bring stability to the region. Saddam Hussein was left in power and the end of the war only commenced a twelve-year enforcement of no-fly zones in northern and southern Iraq. The conventional-type fight that was the Gulf War was the kind of warfare for which the U.S. dedicated itself following its demoralizing loss in the counterinsurgency fight in Vietnam. It was a display of the military’s AirLand Battle doctrine, and was the way the U.S. intended to fight the Soviets on the plains of Europe in the event that the Red Army stormed the Fulda Gap. But there were plenty of warning signs that suggested the U.S. was fortunate to be facing Saddam’s forces and not the Kremlin’s. Against the Soviets in Europe, the U.S. would not be afforded the luxury of building up forces for six months prior to the commencement of hostilities. Lightly armored forces—the first ones to deploy into the southwest Asian theater—would be no match for heavy Soviet divisions. Air power alone could not dislodge even the Iraqis from their Kuwaiti redoubts. How much less effective would it be against more capable Soviet forces? Nevertheless, some positive things were accomplished. To a certain extent, the military was able to erase the stigma of Vietnam and garner widespread national appreciation for the job it does for the nation. Valuable experience was gained that stood the U.S. in good stead when, a dozen years later, its forces would be called upon again to take on the Iraqi Army. Diplomatically, there was much to be admired in the way the U.S. forged and managed such a broad and diverse coalition—also something that would pay dividends down the road. The bottom line is that the Gulf war was a victory for the U.S. and victories are something you take whenever you can get them, no matter how ugly they might be.
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