The diploma thesis discusses the Kuwait crisis which erupted in 1990 due to the Iraqi invasion and occupation of the neighbouring Kuwait. According to the description of the historical background and the circumstances of the creation of both countries, the nature of the long Saddam's reign, which had far-reaching consequences for the modern Iraqi country, is elaborated. Then, the events that led to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait are discussed. Particular attention is paid to the sharp international, especially American, response and intervention. In a series of the following diplomatic attempts, the progress has been hampered by the intransigence of the demands of the international coalition and the intransigence of the Iraqi authorities. The Crisis in the Gulf reached its peak in February 1991, when the war began. After five weeks of aerial bombardment, the international coalition continued with land attack; in only 100 hours the war ended and Iraq suffered a severe and humiliating defeat. Special attention is paid to the American role in confronting Iraq, since the Gulf War was the first major military conflict since the end of the Cold War. In the optimism following the end of the Cold War, the USA exemplary cooperated with the United Nations, the international community and also the Soviet Union in resolving the crisis.
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