From Desert Storm to a New World Order

The Middle East After the Gulf War

Part 2: The Rise and Fall of American Dominance

After the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990, the United States spearheaded a coalition of 35 countries in Operation Desert Storm. The war ended in a decisive victory for the coalition, which liberated Kuwait and expelled Iraqi forces. However, the war also had a profound impact on the regional balance of power, and the years that followed saw a gradual decline in American dominance in the Middle East.

One of the most significant consequences of Desert Storm was the collapse of the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union had been a major player in the Middle East for decades, and its collapse left a power vacuum that the United States was unable to fill. As a result, the United States found itself increasingly unable to shape events in the region.

Another factor that contributed to the decline of American dominance was the rise of Iran. Iran had long been hostile to the United States, and it saw the war in Iraq as an opportunity to assert its own regional influence. After the war, Iran began to rebuild its military and to develop closer ties with other countries in the region, including Syria and Lebanon.

The United States attempted to counter Iran's growing influence by forming alliances with other countries in the region, including Israel and Saudi Arabia. However, these alliances were often strained, and the United States was unable to prevent Iran from becoming a major player in the Middle East.

The decline of American dominance in the Middle East has had a number of consequences. The region has become increasingly unstable, and the United States has been unable to prevent the outbreak of several wars, including the Syrian Civil War and the Yemeni Civil War. The rise of Iran has also led to increased tensions between the United States and its allies in the region, and the United States has found itself increasingly isolated in its efforts to maintain its influence.