Ep 8. The Gulf War - Architects of Desert Storm

The episode titled "The Gulf War - Architects of Desert Storm" is season 5 episode 8 of the docu-series, Secrets of War. This episode takes a deep dive into the Gulf War, one of the most iconic wars since World War II. The episode explores how the war unfolded and the key players who engineered the conflict.

The Gulf War, also known as the Persian Gulf War, was fought from August 2, 1990, to February 28, 1991. The war was fought between Iraq and a coalition of forces led by the United States, including Britain, France, and Saudi Arabia. The primary reason for the war was Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, which Saddam Hussein, the Iraqi dictator at the time, saw as a part of Iraq's historical territory.

The episode traces the root causes of the Gulf War and sheds light on how Saddam Hussein, with his military might, destabilized the region. The episode also introduces the key players, including President George H.W. Bush, Colin Powell, Norman Schwarzkopf and General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, who played an instrumental role in the conflict.

The episode then delves into the military tactics that were employed during Operation Desert Storm, which was launched to retake Kuwait from Iraq. It covers the air campaign, including the initial strikes and how the coalition forces managed to counter Saddam's Scud missile attacks on Israeli targets.

The episode gives an insight into the unique challenges faced by the coalition forces, such as the harsh desert terrain, the sweltering heat, and the difficulty of fighting in urban environments. It also shows how the coalition forces used advanced technologies such as stealth aircraft, smart bombs, and night vision gear to achieve their objective.

The episode concludes by highlighting the success of the war and the lessons that were learned. It also raises some important questions, such as whether the war was necessary, the role of oil in the conflict, and how the war changed the dynamics of the Middle East.

Overall, "The Gulf War - Architects of Desert Storm" is an informative and compelling episode. It provides a detailed history of the conflict, showcases the key players, and gives a glimpse into the cutting-edge military tactics used during the war. Anyone interested in history, politics, or military strategy will find this episode of Secrets of War a fascinating watch.