Marine Corps Knowledge Practice

What event prompted Operation Desert Shield/Storm in 1990-1991?

1. The Gulf War

2. The invasion of Kuwait

3. The fall of the Berlin Wall

4. The bombing of the USS Cole

The correct answer is: The Gulf War

The correct answer is related to the specific event that triggered the military actions known as Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. In August 1990, Iraq, led by President Saddam Hussein, invaded Kuwait, which led to a swift escalation of tensions in the region. This invasion was viewed as a direct threat to the stability of the Middle East and to the global oil supply, prompting a coalition of countries, led by the United States, to respond. Operation Desert Shield began as a defensive deployment of forces to deter further Iraqi aggression and to protect Saudi Arabia. Following this, Operation Desert Storm commenced in January 1991, marking the offensive phase aimed at liberating Kuwait from Iraqi occupation. Understanding this sequence of events highlights the significance of the invasion of Kuwait as the catalyst for these military operations. While the Gulf War is a broad term that encompasses both Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, it is essential to recognize that the immediate cause was specifically the invasion of Kuwait, rather than the overall conflict itself or unrelated events like the fall of the Berlin Wall or the bombing of the USS Cole.