Accession Number:

ADA325197

Title:

Without Clear Objectives: Operation Earnest Will.

Descriptive Note:

Final rept.,

Corporate Author:

NAVAL WAR COLL NEWPORT RI JOINT MILITARY OPERATIONS DEPT

Personal Author(s):

• Selby, Michael W.

Report Date:

1997-02-07

Pagination or Media Count:

21.0

Abstract:

This paper conducts a critical analysis of U.S. political and military objectives in the Persian Gulf during the Iran-Iraq War, focused on Operation Earnest Will. The background of the Iran-Iraq War is reviewed with particular emphasis on those actions leading up the re-registration of eleven Kuwaiti oil tankers under the American flag. U.S. strategic and operational objectives in this operation are outlined and evaluated. The impact of unfocused political objectives, and the resultantly vague guidance provided to operational commanders is examined.

Descriptors:

• *IRAQ
• *PERSIAN GULF
• *IRAN
• MILITARY OPERATIONS
• WARFARE
• KUWAIT
• MILITARY STRATEGY
• UNITED STATES
• INTERNATIONAL POLITICS
• MIDDLE EAST
• JOINT MILITARY ACTIVITIES
• OILS
• HORMUZ STRAIT

Subject Categories:

• Government and Political Science
• Military Operations, Strategy and Tactics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE