In July 1990, April Glaspie, the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, met with Hussein and tried to represent the Bush Administration's reluctance to involve the U.S. in inter-Arab disputes. Although Glaspie probably never believed she was encouraging Iraq to invade Kuwait, Hussein interpreted her statement that ". . . we have no opinion on Arab-Arab conflicts like your border disagreement with Kuwait . . ." as a formal invitation. After the invasion of Kuwait in August 1990, the surprised Administration found its backbone and vowed, "This will not stand."
The Democratically-controlled Congress, however, was reluctant to take action. The Democratic leadership in both houses voted against authorizing Bush to use force. Congress as a whole, however, ultimately did endorse the President's efforts.
The old Vietnam-era antiwar coalition, again hoping for relevance, geared up against the Gulf War. Groups were encouraging enlisted men and women to refuse to "fight for Texaco." Even Robert McNamara, in a transparent and wretched effort to rescue his place in history and wash his hands of the blood of American soldiers he committed to Vietnam, solemnly testified before Congress against the use of force. He warned of tens of thousands of U.S. casualties. Has there been anyone who has been on the wrong side of more important national issues over the last three decades than McNamara?
Administration officials went before Congress and testified that Hussein may be attempting to acquire weapons of mass destruction. Some on the Left, always suspicious of U.S. military power, suggested the Administration was deliberating exaggerating the threat to garner support. It has turned out that the Bush Administration actually underestimated Hussein's capability in this regard.
Allies, who were even more dependent on Middle East oil, were willing to show indignation at the invasion, but, with the exception of Great Britain, had to be dragged into the Desert Storm coalition kicking and screaming.
The sanctions in place since the Gulf War are far more severe and restrictive than we could have instituted and enforced without victory in Desert Storm. However, if there is one thing we have learned, it is that there is no limit to the amount of misery Hussein is willing to allow his people endure. If Congress and the Allies had instituted sanctions in lieu of action, today Kuwait would be a province of Iraq and Iraq would
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