GOV 312L 1st EditionLecture 4Iraq 2: Desert Shield and Desert Storm: Curing the Vietnam syndrome with the Powell doctrineOutline of last lecture:I. AnnouncementsII. Review/wrap-up of previous lectureIII. Newshour debateIV. Lecturea. ethnic and religious groups in the middle eastb. nationalism and identity in Iraqc. overview of Iraqi history, 1919-1990Outline of current lecture:I. Vietnam syndrome: once burned, twice shyII. US relations with Saddam HusseinIII. The Powell doctrine in actionIV. Why Iraq 1991 wasn’t like Vietnam (and why Iraq 2003 was not like Iraq 1991)Current LectureEthnic and religious differences in the Middle east, including Shia and SunniHistory of modern Iraq, dominated by a sunni Arab minority until 2003Theme that redistributing power (like shifting from monarcy/military rule to rep government is difficult and violent-the 1990-1991 iraq war didn’t result in redistribute power, it restored the status quo: Kuwait itsown country, Saddam Hussein still in powerI. Vietnam syndrome: once burned, twice shyVietnam war• Historically resisted foreign conquest, from Chinese and then French colonizers (1800s)• 1954 forces of Ho Chi Minh (~had 80% popularity) force France to withdraw, country divided temporarily• Minh’s idea of fighting the French were under freedom principles that the americans supported. He was 1) nationalist 2) communist.• Defeat the French militarily in 1954-> treaty agreement for French to leave Vietnam, temporary country division until elections for national leadership• South Vietnam leader Ngo Dinh Diem (“zi-em”), supported by the US, wins rigged presidential election in 1955, cancels 1956 elections on unification• US supports Diem in preventing Vietnamese unification• Minh had genuine popularity- US were afraid that the communist would win if they allowed a general election**Example of US overturning democratic election because they were afraid that the outcome would not go the way that they wanted it.Cautionary tale about how easily goals can be achieved. Those in favor of intervention have to overcome this argumentConsider how Vietnamese felt with the US propping up Diem. Imagine US equivalent after 1776• 1960s US gradually escalates its role, presence, and operations• realized it was harder than thought—faced greater opposition than imagined• Diem overthrown and killed by South Vietnamese generals in 1963• Sending troops, American public expects quick victory, becomes increasingly upset during 1964-1968• Disillusionment during LBJ’s rein• 1973 US withdraws (nearly 58,000 US soldiers killed), over a million Vietnamese killed• tremendously costly expenditure for Americans, but greater for the Vietnamese• 1975 S. Vietnam falls, Vietnam re-unifiedHard to overstate the impact of the US loss in Vietnam on American culture and strategyAlso- American super power was defeated by peasants/gorillas jungle. Statement about American planning, and their willingness to commit troops abroad subsequent decades of skepticism when it comes to using troops abroad.Cautionary tales from the US in the Middle East in the 1980s—under Reagon• Reagon deployed military force and the operation went bad with American casualties, that reaffirmed American apprehension about sending troops abroad.• Lebanon – US troops there during 1982-1984, pulled out after a suicide bomber killed 241 soldiers on 10/23/83• Help pull liberation troops out. 1 year in--suicide bombing. US doesn’t pull out immediately, but does so within the next year• Gulf – During Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), Iraqi missile mistakenly struck USS Stark, killing 37 crewmen on 5/7/87 • Increased presence in Persian gulf. Why iran, Iraq (ally) are fighting each other.• So there were these memories in 1990II. US relations with Saddam HusseinThere are no permanent enemies in world politicsIraq example:-From readings, Douglass refers to Hussein as a radical (against US, classification based on how they view the US). US were wary of Iraq in the 1970s-After Iranian revolution, US cozies up to Hussein and fixes diplomatic relations with him, aids him.-US assisted Saddam Hussein in fighting Iran, including by providing him chemical weapons and assistance in using them against Iranian forces. Hussein also used chemical weapons on Iraqi Kurds.-claims- Saddam had used chemicals against his own people (Iraqi Kurds) and other countries.-But, Americans supplied the chemicals warfare.Shift in relations comes when-Iran-Iraq war cost the US a lot of money- Hussein demands debt forgiveness from Gulf monarchs, who he saw himself protecting during Iran-Iraq War. Hussein saw the war as protecting oil interests.-In return, Hussein would give good trade treaties to US for oil. Hussein also insinuated that he would invade Kuwait.- US, via its ambassador, sends ambiguous signal about whether US opposes Hussein’s claim to Kuwait- Hussein invades Kuwait and President George H.W. Bush says the “aggression will not stand” (see Little’s text)III. The Powell doctrine in actionPowell• Powell was quintessential example- dedicated to serving, also cautious about committing US forces abroad.• Entered the military in 1958 and the Vietnam War constituted a large portion of his career. He and his contemporaries did not want US dragged into another Vietnam.•• Served in the Defense Department under Reagan, then also under GHW Bush (as Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff) and GW Bush (as Sec. of State)• Known for being in the pragmatic camp of these administrations (opposite the neoconservatives), interested in using military in focused, effective ways.• Found himself in opposition as the non-pragmatists (neoconservatives)Powell Doctrine-Assess the use of force carefully before proceeding and check for three major features: a) a clearly defined political and military objectives, b) a readiness to commit the needed resources and forces to achieve those objectives, c) some confidence the military will have support of American public and their representatives->First two were points that the US did not have in Vietnam war.Panama (1989-1990)Background: Over 50 years of independent statehood (since 1936), including periods of parliamentary rule before rise of military regimes (1968-1990).Panama had some traditions of parliamentary rule, wasn’t a brutal dictatorship.Manuel Noriega had ruled since 1983. Fell out of favor with USMay 1989 election yielded clear winners (Pres.