Information about the thesis "The 1991 Gulf War and Key Lessons" by graduate student Hoang Thu Minh, majoring in Asian Studies.1. Student's Full Name: Hoang Thu Minh 2. Gender: Female 3. Date of Birth: January 1, 1979 4. Place of Birth: Hanoi 5. Decision No. 1528/QD-XHNV-KH&SDH dated October 14, 2009, issued by the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi. 6. Changes during the training process: None 7. Thesis Title: The 1991 Gulf War and Key Lessons Learned 8. Major: Asian Studies; Code: 60 31 06 01 9. Scientific Advisor: Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Quoc Hung, Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi. 10. Summary of thesis results: The 1991 Gulf War was a war waged by the US and its coalition against Iraq following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. Although more than 20 years have passed, the devastating consequences still deeply affect the innocent people of Iraq and Kuwait. Iraq was the losing side in this war, resulting in even more severe consequences. Iraq entered the war isolated due to its invasion of Kuwait. Almost no country supported Iraq, leaving it without a voice in the international community. Economically, Iraq had just emerged from an eight-year war with Iran and faced numerous difficulties. Militarily, the Iraqi army had not yet recovered its strength before embarking on a new war, leading to inevitable fatigue. Combined with the overwhelming power of the coalition forces, this resulted in the rapid disintegration of the Iraqi army. Conversely, the United States, with the permission of the UN Security Council and in its role as the "liberator of Kuwait," easily garnered international support. This presented a golden opportunity for the US to intervene in Iraq, a long-desired course of action. With its powerful military and modern weapons, coupled with the support of many nations, the US and its coalition quickly defeated Saddam Hussein's army. Following this victory, the US's international standing was further strengthened. Many Arab countries relied heavily on the US for security, securing lucrative economic contracts for the US and its coalition. The war ended, leaving behind serious consequences in terms of human lives and resources for Iraq and Kuwait. Iraq, once a wealthy country in the region, became one of the poorest in the world. Years of sanctions made life extremely difficult for the people. The Iraqi people resented Saddam Hussein's regime. From the devastating consequences of war, many lessons have been learned, including the lesson of a peaceful and friendly foreign policy that respects the independence and sovereignty of nations. This lesson aims to prevent war and maintain harmony among nations for peace, stability, and development in the world. It can be said that if this lesson were implemented well, the world could avoid the catastrophe of war. A second equally important lesson is the role of the UN in resolving conflicts around the world. Although this role is sometimes challenged by belligerent forces, the organization's contribution to world peace cannot be denied, including restraining the US from attacking Syria, Iran, and North Korea. The next lesson is the need to secure international support when waging war. This can only be achieved if it is a just war, for the benefit of the entire nation, not just a specific group, and it must be in line with the general trends of the times. When war breaks out, victory requires sound military tactics on the battlefield; a large, well-equipped army with unwavering fighting spirit; and the element of tradition in the struggle and defense of national sovereignty. Thus, in terms of content, the thesis has presented: + The underlying causes of the US and coalition attack on Iraq in 1991. + An overview and general assessment of the war, an introduction to US foreign policy after the war, and recent intervention in North Africa and the Middle East. + Based on this, several valuable lessons have been drawn to prevent war and effectively respond when war occurs.
INFORMATION ON MASTER'S THESIS
1. Full name : Hoang Thu Minh 2. Sex: Female 3. Date of birth: January 1, 197 4. Place of birth: Hanoi 5. Admission decision number: 1528/QD-XHNV-KH&SĐH dated October 14, 2009 by the Dean of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities-Vietnam National University 6. Changes in academic process: No 7. Official thesis title: The Gulf War 1991 and main lessons 8. Major: Asian Studies 9. Code: 60 31 06 01 10. Supervisors: Associate Professor. Nguyen Quoc Hung-Faculty of Oriental Studies-The University of Social Sciences and Humanities-Vietnam National University 11. Summary of the findings of the thesis: The Gulf War 1991 was waged by a coalition force led by the United States against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait. Although 20 years have passed, the immersive and critical effects still hurt terribly and deeply the Iraqi and Kuwaiti civilians. In this war, for Iraq, the loser, the combat casualty was heavy, added to that was the isolation for the reason that they invaded Kuwait. And Iraq received almost none of the support of other nations as well as received no international community's voice of support. On economical issue, Iraq had just passed over the 8-year-war with Iran with a lot of existing difficulties. On military matter, Iraqi army stepped on another war without full restoration and with the boredsome and excessive power of coalition force causing the quick and prompt separation. On the contrary, the United States with the agreement of The United Nations Security Council and under the role of “Kuwait Liberator” easily withdraw the support of the international community. It is the best opportunity for the US to intervene into Iraq which was at their mind and planned for long time. With the strong potential and modern arms, with strong support of nations in the world, the US and Coalition Forces made it fast to defeat the armed force of Saddam Hussein. After this victory, the position of the US in the world was strengthened. Many Arab countries depend on the US on security and keep a lot of good economical projects for the US and the Coalition. The War ended with too many casualties for both Iraq and Kuwait. Iraq used to be a rich country, changed to be one of the poorest countries in the world. The embargo for many years made the living of peoples so terrible. The Iraqi people strongly complain about the Saddam Hussein Regime. Since the heavy consequence, many lessons made, in which the lesson on international relations with peace, cooperation and respects to independence and sovereignty of each nation. This is the lesson to avoid war, to keep the friendship between the nations in peace, stability and development. It is likely that the lesson will make the world avoid war conflicts. The second important lesson is the role of the UN in solving the conflict in the world. Although, this role always gets challenges from warlike-side but it is impossible not to accept the contribution of this organization to the world peace, eg the control in conflicts of the US to Syria, Iran, North Korea... And the next lesson is to define the support of the international community when launching a war. It can be made if that is the just war, for the benefits of all a nation but for a group of people, and it must be suitable with the common trend of the right age. When the war happens, to win a victory, it requires a relevant military strategy in the battleground; a strong arm force, equipped and strong struggling spirit; conservative in fighting and protecting national sovereignty. Therefore, in general, the thesis expresses: + The underlying reasons why the US and the Coalition Force attacked Iraq in 1991. + General review and giving common evaluation on the Gulf War, introducing the post-war foreign policy of the US and the interference in the situation of the North Africa and the Middle East recently. + Based on the reality, some lessons were made in order to prevent the war and cope up with it once it happens.
