Data Bases • Custom Term Papers • Free Term Papers • Free Research Papers • Free Essays • Free Book Reports • Plagiarism? Links • Top 100 Term Paper Sites • Top 25 Essay Sites • Top 50 Essay Sites • Search 97,000 Papers @ DirectEssays.com • Search 101,000 Papers @ ExampleEssays.com • Search 90,000 Papers @ MegaEssays.com Free Essays • Term Paper Sites • Chuck III's Free Essays • Free College Essays • TermPaperSites.com • Free Essays • My Term Papers • Essay World • Planet Papers	Search Lots of Essays Back to Subjects - Government & Politics The War Against Terrorism and The War Against Terrorism and On August 2nd 1990, Iraq invaded the small oil rich country of Kuwait on its southeastern border. Iraq claimed that Kuwait was a long time province from the 1800’s and early 1900s’, whose lands belonged under control of Iraq, a so-called province. Saddam Hussein also argued that Kuwait was pumping oil from an oil field that was on the border of the two countries and belonged to Iraq. Upon gaining control of Kuwait, Hussein was able to eliminate his previous debt to Kuwait and gain it’s substantial oil wealth, roughly 10% of the worlds oil supply. Regardless of the motives behind Iraq’s invasion, under international law, none of Iraq’s claims against Kuwait justified its invasion of that country. The world perception of Iraq was one of greed, where Hussein had taken the defenseless country of Kuwait for its oil wealth in order to secure his own power with OPEC and among his own people. The United Nations Security Council immediately placed a trade embargo on Iraq and demanded that they withdraw from Kuwait. When Hussein failed to comply, a world coalition of 39 countries, mainly led by the United States and the United Nations, was given the order to take action. Air strikes soon commenced followed by a full scale ground invasion, which lasted technically until late February of 1991, in which Hussein’s forces were totally removed from Kuwait. Naturally, the world led by the United Nations and the United States, condemned the actions of Iraq. However the real truth behind the matter is economics. The U.S., along with other industrialized nations, had a substantial economic interest in Kuwait’s oil riches. Had Iraq acted more intelligently in its acquisition of Kuwait and not presented a threat to other surrounding countries and the oil trade, it might have succeeded. Saddam Hussein even posed the question to the world that if it was going to condemn Iraq for it’s invasion of Kuwait, then why did the world not condemn Israel for it’s continuing occupation of lands taken during the past conflicts with other Arab nations. In the aftermath of the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11th, the world has had a sobering look at world terrorism. Led mainly by the United States, and supported by the United Nations, a new war on terrorism has begun. Overwhelming support worldwide has surfaced as President Bush has vowed to punish those who decide to commit terrorist acts, as well as those who harbor or condone these activities. So far Bush has followed through on his promise with the war in Afghanistan against the Taliban regime. Others are also displaying their understanding of the situation and are treading a great deal lighter in search of their causes to avoid being labeled as terrorists, as shown by the latest disarmament and return to the negotiating table by the Irish Republican Army. As the world watches, President Bush is now faced with enormous pressure to gain control of the Arab-Israeli conflict. However, this situation is a difficult one. With Israeli’s continual attempt to occupy more land in the disputed settlements, Palestinian anger only grows. With Yasir Arafat’s inability to control, or unwillingness to control, such militant groups as Hamas and Islamic Jihad, chances of the two sides reaching a piece agreement dwindle. Overall, the newly declared war on terrorism has shown some effects and will continue to have results as long as the Bush administration continues to forge ahead. President Bush recently demanded that Arafat break up Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. This is the administration’s strongest challenge yet to Arafat to use whatever military power remaining under his control to battle Islamic extremists. Bush’s words closely, and apparently deliberately paralleled his demands two months ago that the Taliban root out the Al Qaeda network in their midst. On capital hill, there is already a good deal of pressure on the Bush administration to give up mediation and to apply the Bush doctrine on terrorism against the Palestinian Authority. President Bush also announced the freezing of assets of a leading Islamic foundation in the U.S. and two other financial groups that help finance Hamas. After a substantial period of letting the violence escalate, the Bush administration now must intervene a great deal in the conflict to hold together the global coalition against terrorism, instead of occupying a mediator standpoint. Although some Arab nations are opposed to the U.S. taking a more aggressive stance in the conflict, and argue that Bush should stick to the war in Afghanistan, the majority of the world wants to see Bush carry out his pledge against terrorism in all forms. Referring to Bush, Sharon was quoted as saying; “He showed courageous leadership in going all out in his war on one of the centers of terror. It’s clear to me he’s determined to win.” Any discrimination as to which terrorists organizations will be sought after will create the impression that the U.S. will only fight terror as long as it has a direct effect on the American people. The world coalition against terrorism will unravel if Bush does not continue to push forward. As long as the fight is well planned and carried out slowly and effectively, the world will continue to back the cause and the Arab-Israeli conflict will have to settle under international pressure. Terrorism has always been a problem, but until the September 11th attacks, the U.S. had never been affected on such a large scale. The world had also grown quite complacent in their understanding of what terrorists groups were capable of, and it gained the realization that everyone is susceptible to terrorist acts, even the mighty super power. When Iraq invaded Kuwait, the U.S. spearheaded the war to remove them because of it’s own interests, and now the U.S. has realized that it must take charge of the fight against terror and aggression worldwide because it is the only power capable of leading such a large cause. And, if it wants to retain world cooperation in matters of this nature it must not discriminate. Bibliography: Word Count: 1010
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