Question
There were former CIA connections between President Bush and Noriega. The United States had an interest in maintaining control of the canal zone. Leaders at the UN and around the world criticized the invasion, calling it a power grab.
As the Soviet Union was ceasing to be a threat, the Middle East became a source of increased concern. Iraq had gained a significant amount of foreign debt during the 1980s. At the same time, other Arab states had increased their oil production. This forced oil prices down and further hurt Iraq’s economy. Iraq’s leader, Saddam Hussein, approached the oil-producing states for assistance, particularly Saudi Arabia and neighboring Kuwait. When talks with these countries broke down, Hussein ordered the invasion of oil-rich Kuwait in August 1990. Bush faced his first full-scale international crisis.
In 3–5 sentences, evaluate the factors that shaped U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East during George H.W. Bush’s administration, and whether you agree with Bush’s approach. Choose 1–2 examples to support your response.
As the Soviet Union was ceasing to be a threat, the Middle East became a source of increased concern. Iraq had gained a significant amount of foreign debt during the 1980s. At the same time, other Arab states had increased their oil production. This forced oil prices down and further hurt Iraq’s economy. Iraq’s leader, Saddam Hussein, approached the oil-producing states for assistance, particularly Saudi Arabia and neighboring Kuwait. When talks with these countries broke down, Hussein ordered the invasion of oil-rich Kuwait in August 1990. Bush faced his first full-scale international crisis.
In 3–5 sentences, evaluate the factors that shaped U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East during George H.W. Bush’s administration, and whether you agree with Bush’s approach. Choose 1–2 examples to support your response.
Answers
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GPT-4o mini
Several factors shaped U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East during George H.W. Bush’s administration, including the stabilization of oil markets, the containment of Saddam Hussein's aggression, and the aftermath of the Cold War. The invasion of Kuwait in August 1990 prompted a unified international response, leading to the Gulf War, where the U.S. led a coalition to liberate Kuwait, reinforcing its commitment to protecting oil supplies and maintaining regional stability. I agree with Bush's approach as it not only addressed immediate threats to U.S. interests but also demonstrated the importance of multilateralism in foreign policy, highlighted by the coalition formed with allies to counter Iraq's expansionism. This strategic response ultimately helped to restore order in a critical region and reaffirmed U.S. influence post-Cold War.