Desert Shield and Desert Storm: Curing the Vietnam Syndrome with the Powell Doctrine

Last time _______________________________ I. Vietnam Syndrome: once burned, twice shy II. US relations with Saddam Hussein III. The Powell Doctrine in Action

IV. Why Iraq 1991 was not like Vietnam (and why Iraq 2003- was not like Iraq 1991) _______________________________
Next time
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Ethnic and religious differences in the Middle East, including Shia and Sunni History of modern Iraq, dominated by a Sunni Arab minority until 2003 Theme that redistributing power (like shifting from monarchy or military rule to representative government) is difficult, often violent The 19901991 Iraq War did not redistribute power; it restored the status quo (Kuwait its own country, Saddam Hussein still in power)
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Last time _______________________________ I. Vietnam Syndrome: once burned, twice shy II. US relations with Saddam Hussein III. The Powell Doctrine in Action

IV. Why Iraq 1991 was not like Vietnam (and why Iraq 2003- was not like Iraq 1991) _______________________________
Next time
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Vietnam War in two slides (1)

Historically resisted foreign conquest, the Chinese and then, in 1800s, French colonizers 1954 forces of Ho Chi Minh (a communist who sought freedom for Vietnam and had approx. 80% popularity) force France to withdraw, country divided temporarily South Vietnam leader Ngo Dinh Diem (zi-em), supported by the US, wins rigged pres. election in 1955, cancels 1956 elections on unification US supports Diem in preventing Vietnamese unification

Vietnam War in two slides (2)

PAUSE: Try to imagine equivalent for the United States after 1776 1960s US gradually escalates its role, presence, and operations Diem overthrown and killed by South Vietnamese generals in 1963 Sending troops, American public expects quick victory, becomes increasingly upset during 1964-1968 1973 US withdraws (nearly 58,000 US soldiers killed), over a million Vietnamese killed 1975 S. Vietnam falls, Vietnam re-unified

Hard to overstate the impact of the US loss in Vietnam on American culture and strategy

Cautionary tales from the US in the Middle East in the 1980s

Lebanon US troops there during 19821984, pulled out after a suicide bomber killed 241 soldiers on 10/23/83 Gulf During Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), Iraqi missile mistakenly struck USS Stark, killing 37 crewmen on 5/7/87 So there were these memories in 1990
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Last time _______________________________ I. Vietnam Syndrome: once burned, twice shy II. US relations with Saddam Hussein III. The Powell Doctrine in Action

IV. Why Iraq 1991 was not like Vietnam (and why Iraq 2003- was not like Iraq 1991) _______________________________
Next time
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Something I alluded to last week: No permanent enemies in world politics Iraq is a case in point: After being wary of Iraq in 1970s as a radical (i.e., anti-US) regime, Washington embraced Saddam Hussein in 1980s then turned against him in 1990

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Reagan envoy (as well as past and future Defense Secretary) Donald Rumsfeld and Saddam Hussein (12/20/83)
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US assisted Saddam Hussein in fighting Iran, including by providing him chemical weapons and assistance in using them against Iranian forces. Hussein also used chemical weapons on Iraqi Kurds.
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Shift in relations comes when

- Hussein demands debt forgiveness from Gulf monarchs, who he saw himself protecting during Iran-Iraq War - US, via its ambassador, sends ambiguous signal about whether US opposes Husseins claim to Kuwait - Hussein invades Kuwait and President George H.W. Bush says the aggression will not stand (see Littles text)
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Last time _______________________________ I. Vietnam Syndrome: once burned, twice shy II. US relations with Saddam Hussein III. The Powell Doctrine in Action

IV. Why Iraq 1991 was not like Vietnam (and why Iraq 2003- was not like Iraq 1991) _______________________________
Next time
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General Colin Powell

Served in the Defense Department under Reagan, then also under GHW Bush (as Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff) and GW Bush (as Sec. of State)
Known for being in the pragmatic camp of these administrations (opposite the neoconservatives), interested in using military in focused, effective ways.

The Powell Doctrine

Entered the military in 1958 and the Vietnam War constituted a large portion of his career. He and his contemporaries did not want US dragged into another Vietnam. Powell Doctrine Assess the use of force carefully before proceeding and check for three major features: a) a clearly defined political and military objectives, b) a readiness to commit the needed resources and forces to achieve those objectives, c) some confidence the military will have support of American public and their representatives

Panama (1989-1990)
Background: Over 50 years of independent statehood (since 1936), including periods of parliamentary rule before rise of military regimes (1968-1990). Manuel Noriega had ruled since 1983. May 1989 election yielded clear winners (Pres. Endara, VP Calderon, & VP Ford), whom Noriega prevented from taking office. Invasion on Dec. 19, 1989: Manuel Noriega removed and Endara government recognized by US. Rapid withdrawal - US forces departed within 2 months of invasion Epilogue: Relatively rapid comeback by pro-Noriega forces, who won elections in 1994

Powells doctrine in practice

Panama 1989 arrest of Manuel Noriega, using 22,500 American troops (Powell: Use all the force necessary, and do not apologize for going in big Decisive force ends wars quickly and in the long saves lives.)
Iraq and Kuwait 1990-1991 Powell was not eager to get involved in defending Kuwait, and possibly Saudi Arabia, from Iraq, but once the decision, by Pres. George HW Bush was made, he favored massive military build-up and a speedy victory. The fighting (Operation Desert Storm) begins 1/17/91 and ends 2/28/91. There were four days of ground combat before US and allied forces controlled Kuwait.

Last time _______________________________ I. Vietnam Syndrome: once burned, twice shy II. US relations with Saddam Hussein III. The Powell Doctrine in Action

IV. Why Iraq 1991 was not like Vietnam (and why Iraq 2003- was not like Iraq 1991) _______________________________
Next time
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Putting ourselves in the shoes of people in 1990

Anxiety over how long the commitment would be Would there be a draft? How many US soldiers would die?
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August 2, 1990 Saddam Hussein conquers Kuwait, Bush (41) Nat. Sec. Council convenes August 6 UNSC imposes sanctions August 8 King Fahd of Saudi Arabia agrees to allow US troops Operation Desert Shield = shield Saudi Arabia from a potential Iraqi invasion Operation Desert Storm = eject Iraqi forces from Kuwait January 17 massive aerial bombardment begins February 24-28 ground assault and victory
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Schwarzkopf (head of CENTCOM, the United States Middle East command, based in Tampa, Florida) and Bush
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Video 1: This will not stand.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =nzkOlNlb7KI

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Video 2: Pre-war jitters

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =XOMRPia8NeM

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Notice the feeling of caution. This was the Vietnam Syndrome. And even when victory came, it was capped by a lengthy justification of the costs incurred.

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Video 3: US CENTCOM Commander Gen. Schwarzkopf explains how US won so quickly

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =wKi3NwLFkX4

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Outcome: Status quo, not political transformation

The Gulf War (Operation: Desert Storm) against Saddam Hussein (1990-1991) brought US forces to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, but did not lead to intervention in Iraq beyond the establishment of no-fly zones in the north and south. Saddam Hussein stays in power. This was not a redistribution of power inside of Iraq. When Iraqis (Shia Arabs in south, Kurds in north) rose up against Hussein in MarchApril 1991, US did not intervene militarily.

Differences
Vietnam Opposing a popular leader (Ho Chi Minh). Trying to create a whole new government that lacks local support (South Vietnam) while fighting the popular government (N. Viet.) Iraq and Kuwait Removing a foreign army from a country that doesnt want it (Kuwait). Then letting that local country govern itself, while leaving the aggressor govt in place (Iraq).
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Last time _______________________________ I. Vietnam Syndrome: once burned, twice shy II. US relations with Saddam Hussein III. The Powell Doctrine in Action

IV. Why Iraq 1991 was not like Vietnam (and why Iraq 2003- was not like Iraq 1991) _______________________________
Next time
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For next week: From caution (Powell) to exuberance (neoconservatives)

And the presidents and geography quiz Tuesday, in the second half of class.

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