Documents reveal Gorbachev’s frank advice to Saddam Hussain during Kuwait occupation

The Soviet leaders engaged in difficult talks with the Iraqi leadership during the occupation of Kuwait, discussing both the liberation of the country and the fate of Iraq, British documents reveal. The newly declassified documents also show that Iraqi leaders were advised to act in the interest of their people and to avoid the consequences of a prolonged occupation. On 2 August 1990, Iraqi forces invaded and occupied Kuwait. After Iraq refused to withdraw despite widespread international condemnation, a US-led coalition launched Operation Desert Storm on 17 January 1991. The coalition, which included Arab states such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Syria, was preparing for a ground operation to expel the Iraqi troops. On 15 February, the Iraqi Revolutionary Command […]