George HW Bush, Man Who Started US’ War Against Saddam, Turns 93

The success of Bush Sr’s presidency was measured on the strength of his response to Saddam’s invasion of Kuwait.

George Herbert Walker Bush turned 93 on 12 June. Bush Senior held the office of the 41st US President from 1989 to 1993 – an eventful five years in the country’s history.

Bush Sr was a naval aviator during the second World War. He also served as the director of the CIA, and as the US vice-president during Ronald Reagan’s term, before becoming the Republican presidential nominee in 1988.

As POTUS, Bush Sr laid special emphasis on foreign policy. He was credited with ameliorating relations between the US and the Soviet Union, and with helping to overthrow Panama’s dictator Noreiga. But his most important role as the US President was launching Operation Desert Storm – a series of air and military strikes that culminated in the 1991 Gulf War.

Operation Desert Storm

Bush’s presidential success was measured through his response to the then Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait.

In August 1990, Bush ordered the organisation of Operation Desert Shield, an international coalition led by the US, to drive Hussein out of Kuwait.

Operation Desert Storm was formalised in January 1991. Over 30 countries joined the US in air and military assaults against Iraq. Bush played a key role in authorising a manifold increase in US troops and resources for the war. A massive bombing on Hussein’s troops in the Persian Gulf followed.

Bush’s armies made use of ‘smart bombs’, to which Hussein retaliated with SCUD missiles, resulting in heavy casualties. A ceasefire was reached within 100 hours, and US troops withdrew.

As a result of the war, a new world order emerged under the Bush regime. The world became uncomfortably familiar with the American military capability – a force to be reckoned with.