ld goad Israel into attacking Iraq, which would cause Saddam’s Arab neighbors to break from the coalition. The United States and Iraq used the “show of force” military strategic concept. Iraq used this concept indirectly against Kuwait to extract concessions. Later it was used against the United States in an effort to deter the coalition from using force to eject Iraqi forces from Kuwait. The United States used “show of force” in a field attempt to deter Iraqi aggression and later to assist diplomatic efforts; Iraq used the “first strike” concept to by force in Kuwait in what it could not otherwise extract. As stated, the United States effectively countered Iraq using “forward defense” and “flexible response” military Strategic concepts. In the end, Iraq’s self-interests were defeated and the United States’ vital interests were secured by the successful application of U.S. Military Strategy. ...
