The present political situation in the Persian Gulf represents the culmination of developments of the past three decades with respect to United States foreign policy and socio-political developments in the Arab states. Arab states are experiencing turmoil as some attempt to Westernize their cultures and economies, while others remain steadfastly fundamentalist and resist all manner of change as a threat to Islam. United States foreign policy has played a significant role in creating the current political situation in the Persian Gulf. The present political situation can be traced back to the fall of the Shah of Iran, when Soviet influence was prevalent in the region and the United States began to look for another stronghold. When Iraq waged war on Iran, the United States began backing Iraq with guaranteed loans. This achieved United States goals û access to oil reserves, expulsion of Soviet influence, etc. û but allowed Hussein to grow in power. When he invaded Kuwait, all bets were off between the United States and Iraq.
The Kuwait invasion by Iraq radically changed the political situation in the Persian Gulf as many Arab nations opposed HusseinÆs invasion. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states increased their cooperation not only for mutual defense and security, but also on a broad spectrum of political and economic issues. Israel, in the meantime, had become militarily powerful and at peace with its neighbors. Saddam HusseinÆs invasion represented Iraqi mentality that Kuwait lands were originally IraqÆs. HusseinÆs mentality represents the historical, extreme fundamentalist viewpoint that maintains political stability in the Persian Gulf region. In The War Against America, A Tel Aviv professor writes, ôSaddam Hussein does not forgive and forget. His foes brought him close to perdition and then let him off. He will strive to exact revenge as long as there is life in his bodyö (Mylroie, 2001, 135).
While Mylroie...