Understanding the 1990 Iraq-Kuwait Invasion and the New World Order

The question asks to identify the US president who referred to the post-invasion situation in Kuwait and the international response as the emergence of a "new world order". This historical event occurred in August 1990 when Iraq invaded and occupied neighboring Kuwait.

Analyzing the Historical Context

In August 1990, under the leadership of Saddam Hussein, Iraq invaded Kuwait. This act was widely condemned by the international community. The United Nations Security Council passed several resolutions demanding Iraq's withdrawal and authorizing the use of force if necessary to liberate Kuwait.

Following Iraq's failure to withdraw, a coalition of forces, led by the United States, launched military operations (Operation Desert Storm) in early 1991 to drive Iraqi forces out of Kuwait. During this period, the President of the United States played a crucial role in shaping the international response and articulating the vision for the world order after the Cold War and this crisis.

Identifying the US President

Let's consider the US presidents listed in the options and their terms:

• George H.W. Bush: Served as President from 1989 to 1993. The Iraq-Kuwait invasion and the subsequent Gulf War occurred during his presidency.
• Bill Clinton: Served as President from 1993 to 2001. This is after the events of 1990-1991.
• Ronald Reagan: Served as President from 1981 to 1989. His term ended before the invasion of Kuwait.
• Barack Obama: Served as President from 2009 to 2017. This is much later than the event.

Based on the timeline, George H.W. Bush was the US President during the Iraq-Kuwait crisis and the subsequent Gulf War.

The Concept of the "New World Order"

The term "new world order" was used by President George H.W. Bush in various speeches, most notably during an address to a joint session of Congress on September 11, 1990, shortly after the Iraqi invasion. He described a world where nations would cooperate more effectively to maintain peace and security, often through the United Nations, contrasting it with the bipolar world of the Cold War era.

Therefore, George H.W. Bush is the US President associated with hailing the situation following the Iraq-Kuwait crisis as the emergence of a new world order.

Conclusion

The US President who described the period surrounding the 1990 Iraq invasion of Kuwait and the international response as the emergence of a new world order was George H.W. Bush.

Revision Table: Iraq-Kuwait Crisis Key Details

Additional Information: The New World Order Concept

The term "new world order," as used by George H.W. Bush in this context, referred to a post-Cold War vision for global governance. It suggested a future where:

• International law would be respected.
• Aggression would be met with collective security action, potentially led by the United Nations.
• Major powers would cooperate to solve global problems.
• Democracy and free markets might spread.

The Gulf War was often presented as an early test case for this concept, demonstrating international cooperation against aggression under the UN mandate.