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While it is too early to know whether the Gulf War will be the defining moment for
this generation (as World War II and Vietnam were for previous ones), or whether the war is
the watershed event in the post cold war era; it is possible to acknowledge the renewed sense
of American pride and the unprecedented degree of international c~operation. Certainly, the
Gulf War did more than liberate Kuwait and significantly reduce Iraqi military capabilities.
The war highlighted America's political and military leadership and invigorated hopes for a
"New World Order."

The war had several firsts -- U.N. determination to enforce resolutions with military
action, U.S. -Soviet cooperation in regional conflicts, the call-up of reserve forces within an
integrated Total Force, the entry under fire of new high-tech weaponry, the advent of
environmental terrorism, and the conduct of regional war under the specter of Third World
weapons of mass destruction. Most importantly, the Gulf War brought together two
principal ingredients of U.S. national security policy: promotion of moral purpose and
protection of vital interests.

The Gulf War can be divided into four periods, each defined and preceded by a key
Presidential decision: 1) to respond in August 1990 after the Iraqi invasion, 2) to provide for
an offensive military option after November 1990, 3) to initiate military action on January
16, 1991, and 4) to offer a cease-fire consistent with U.N. mandates on February 27.

The first period (August 2 - November 7) followed the August 2 Iraqi invasion and
set the stage for long-term confrontation. Both sides moved troops into the theater of
operations. Iraq declared Kuwait's annexation, bargained for hostages, plundered Kuwaiti
property, and tried to unite Arabs against the United states and to divide the emerging
coalition. The United States built United Nations and international support, enforced the
embargo, and devalued the effect of the hostages on foreign policy. This period was marked
by the following milestones:

Aug 2 Iraq invades Kuwait. President Bush declares National Emergency freezing
Iraqi and Kuwaiti assets. U.N. orders Iraqi withdrawal.

Aug 5 President declares that the invasion "will not stand."

Aug 7 President Bush sends U.S. troops to Saudi Arabia (C-Day).

Aug 9 U.N. declares Iraq's annexation "null and void." Operation Desert Shield
formally begins.

Aug 12 President Bush orders the Navy to halt Iraqi trade.