Date: August 5th, 2026 8:00 PM
Author: Risten
George HW Bush knew Saddam was going to invade Kuwait (massive troop mobilization that was widely reported). Kuwait and Iraq had been arguing about war debt, oil production, and a couple pieces of territory for years. US had great relations with both countries (heavily backing Iraq in the Iran-Iraq War) but told Iraq we wouldn't meddle in their shit (both directly from our ambassador and indirectly via congressional testimony TWO DAYS prior to the invasion when the Ass. Sec. of State said the US has no obligation to protect Kuwait).
GHWB allowed the invasion to happen, then lied that Saddam was going to invade Saudi Arabia, and used that as the reason to go in militarily (rather than force the two countries to cut a deal on their disputes). His reasons:
- boost oil prices for his biz friends following the long 80s oil bust
- boost defense contractors who felt the pinch as cold war wound down
- establish US military presence in middle east for neocuck (Cheney et al) and Israel reasons
- cut Saddam down to size to prevent him from becoming a regional Arab hegemon
(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5889905&forum_id=2#50047967)