Terror and anger sparked around the world as a result of this invasion, particularly in nations like the United States who worried that the invasion would continue to other neighboring countries like Saudi Arabia who possessed even more oil reserves and hinder foreign access to such sources. As a result, President George Bush would not stand such a travesty, and the United Nations joined in opposition against Iraq and ordered them to leave. This later escalated to a worldwide trade ban with Iraq and an ultimatum for them to leave the invaded Kuwait by the beginning of 1991 or else become opposed to by a coalition of massive retaliation forces. Iraq did not withdraw, and the coalition against Iraq that had now grown to include numerous nations from the Middle East like Egypt and other NATO alliance powers, eventually giving way to the ant-Iraq group being called "Operation Desert Shield." Official attacks began on January 17, 1991, beginning Operation Desert Storm (the actual offensive military actions taken by the opponents to Iraq). This operation entailed the bombing of Iraq's air defenses and communication networks and the sending of ground troops to liberate Kuwait. By mid-February, Kuwait was liberated once again, and President Bush ordered a ceasefire against Iraq. However, he feared that if Hussein were deposed from his position of being the leader of Iraq, a massive and catastrophic civil war would break out and ravage the Middle East, so Hussein retained power again.
The aftermath of the war witnessed a continual pervasive American fear that Iraq would rise up again and fight more neighboring powers as in 1990, so there continued to remain surveillance planes around the country in establishing a no-fly zone around Iraq and monitor any artillery developments. The United States and other powers of NATO were able to receive more supplies of oil once again and not fear over the possible acquisition of twenty percent of the world's oil by Iraq. Millions of dollars were lost through the severe damage of the conflict in the Middle East, but international diplomacy was able to demonstrate its strength through the mutual conflict and interest, snuffing out another potential reign of tyranny.


Works Cited:
https://www.britannica.com/event/Persian-Gulf-War
http://www.ushistory.org/us/60a.asp
http://www.history.com/topics/persian-gulf-war
This is a good article and the hard thing about his decision is that if he were to not take action then we would go back to the way we were when we had the Iran and OPEC crisis. Gas prices soared and the economy slowed. So we need to protect our oil if we don't want a repeat.
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