Winners and losers, ten years after the Gulf War

Abstract

In this paper, I shall study the problem of winners and losers in the Gulf War in four parts: 1-The Balance of Powers in the Middle East and their Resources prior to the war; 2-Coalition Formation and the Execution of the War; 3-Immediate and Developing Problems after the War; 4-Projected Longer Term Outcomes of the War. Initially I shall look into the ambiguous relationships of Iraq, Iran and other M.E. players with the United States and the former colonial powers since World War II. From this baseline, I shall attempt to clarify the coalitions and the devastation of the War. In the third phase, I wish to throw some light on the problems Iraq now faces, and the problems the entire region must deal with as a result of the sanctions against Iraq. Finally I shall make some observations about what might happen in the region as other Great Power players assume important roles in the region.