, 1991, p. 50). The invasion resulted from a breakdown in negotiations between the two nations over such issues as: Iraq's economic debt to Kuwait; the ownership of two islands in the Persian Gulf; and the rights to an oil field in Rumaila, which lies on the border of the two countries (Bahbah, 1991, p. 50). Following the invasion, Iraq was subjected to harsh condemnation by the United States and other Western nations. In response to this condemnation, the United Nations Security Council passed a series of resolutions which called for the immediate withdrawal of Iraqi troops from Kuwait. The U.N. also imposed economic sanctions against Iraq. These sanctions led to the use of the U.S. Navy to "interdict Iraqi oil exports and all imports" (Niva, 1991, p. 58).
When Saddam Hussein still refused to leave Kuwait, the U.N. established a January 15, 1991 deadline for his withdrawal. Two days after the passage of this deadline, the United States led a coalition of international forces in an air campaign against Iraq. A key feature of this offensive, known as Operation Desert Storm, was the use of massive bombing raids against selected Iraqi targets in both Kuwait and Iraq. Within four days of the start of the allied air offensive, "the Iraqi air force was virtually nonexistent" (Horner, 1991, p. 24). Once air supremacy had been attained, the coalition forces began ground operations with continued air support. By late February the devastating effects of the air and ground campaigns led to Iraq's unconditional surrender (Niva, 1991, p. 69).
The strategies used by both sides in this war were based on the objectives of the political leaders of the two nations. In essence, Iraq's political leadership wished to retain its position in Kuwait, whereas the objective of the coalition forces was to remove Iraq from that country. These objectives were translated into the basic strategies which were adopted by the military leaders on bot...