The invasion of oil-rich Kuwait by its neighbor Iraq in the summer of 1990 posed a strategic and political problem for the United States, as well as American allies in the Middle East. Through thoughtful narrative supported by fully documented quotes, this title begins with A Brief History of the Persian Gulf War, and then examines these questions: How Did Oil Politics Fuel the Gulf War? How Did the Cold War's End Influence the Persian Gulf Conflict? What was the Result of Basing US and Coalition Troops in Saudi Arabia? What Followed from Allowing Saddam Hussein's Regime to Survive?