Maybe one of the aspects is the Arab fear or Iran?
If especially Saudi felt that Iran was a bigger threat (?) than Iraq? The Iran-Iraq war did not settle anything, so it was still very much something which could have ignited again.
The price for Saddam to leave Saudi alone? Kuwait!
But on the other hand, it is like paying off the bank robber and leaving him with the gun.
Was it possible for any opposition to Saddam to do something? 1991 might have been the opportunity.
Do we equate Iraq with Saddam 100% and is that fair?
So, if the Arab world would let Saddam take Kuwait and promise to behave thereafter, it would surely kill any opposition.
Ivan
If especially Saudi felt that Iran was a bigger threat (?) than Iraq? The Iran-Iraq war did not settle anything, so it was still very much something which could have ignited again.
The price for Saddam to leave Saudi alone? Kuwait!
But on the other hand, it is like paying off the bank robber and leaving him with the gun.
Was it possible for any opposition to Saddam to do something? 1991 might have been the opportunity.
Do we equate Iraq with Saddam 100% and is that fair?
So, if the Arab world would let Saddam take Kuwait and promise to behave thereafter, it would surely kill any opposition.
Ivan