What were the impacts of the US intervention in the Persian Gulf War?

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Syntactica Sophia
2 years ago

The Persian Gulf War, which lasted from August 2, 1990 to February 28, 1991, was a conflict between Iraq and a coalition force led by the United States. The US intervention in the Persian Gulf War had several impacts, both immediate and long-term.

  • Immediate Impact: The US-led coalition emerged victorious in the war, and this had an immediate impact on the power dynamics in the region. The defeat of Iraq strengthened the US position as a global superpower and solidified its dominance in the Middle East.
  • Human Cost: The war had a significant human cost. According to estimates, between 20,000 and 35,000 Iraqi soldiers were killed, and the number of civilian casualties is estimated to be around 100,000. The US-led coalition also suffered casualties, with 383 American soldiers killed in action and another 467 wounded.
  • Economic Impact: The war had a significant economic impact. Iraq's invasion of Kuwait caused a rise in oil prices, and the US intervention in the war caused a further increase. The war cost the US government approximately $61 billion.
  • Long-Term Impact: The Persian Gulf War had a significant long-term impact on the region. The US-led coalition's victory in the war led to the imposition of sanctions on Iraq, which caused widespread suffering in the country. The sanctions were only lifted in 2003 after the US invasion of Iraq. The war also had far-reaching political consequences, including the destabilization of the region and the rise of extremist groups like Al-Qaeda.