Accession Number:

ADA379081

Title:

Responding to Saddam: U.S. Policy Toward Iraq Since the Gulf War

Descriptive Note:

Master's thesis

Corporate Author:

NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL MONTEREY CA

Personal Author(s):

• Murphy, Daniel E.

Report Date:

2000-06-01

Pagination or Media Count:

90.0

Abstract:

This thesis is an analysis of U.S. policy toward Iraq since the Gulf War. UN Security Council Resolution 687 was the formal cease-fire agreement ending the Gulf War, the resolution requiring the elimination of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction and created the UN Special Commission UNSCOM. Attempts to gain Iraqi compliance with Resolution 687 consumed U.S. Iraq policy for nine years. In 1999, UNSCOM was disestablished without fulfilling its mandate. The Security Council then adopted Resolution 1284 in attempt to introduce a new inspection regime into Iraq. This thesis examines the factors required to successfully compel Iraqi compliance with Resolution 687 and now Resolution 1284. The findings of this research conclude that current U.S. policy toward Iraq does not contain elements needed to successfully compel Iraqi compliance. The thesis then offers three policy options to deal with Iraq. The advantages and disadvantages of each are discussed. The thesis concludes that although current policy does not support the re-entry of a viable inspection regime, current policy does support the overall U.S. objective of containing Iraq. It is argued that this policy should be maintained in the near-term while the United States fully develops regime change as a long-term strategy.

Descriptors:

• *FOREIGN POLICY
• *IRAQ
• *UNITED STATES
• *PERSIAN GULF WAR
• WARFARE
• STRATEGY
• DESTRUCTION
• THESES
• VIABILITY
• INSPECTION
• MASS DESTRUCTION WEAPONS

Subject Categories:

• Government and Political Science

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE