AHC/WI: Kuwait a Province of Iraq

If, after the initial sweep through Kuwait, the Iraqi forces have a change to refuel and resupply and get back on the road and invade Saudi Arabia, then maybe.

As I recall, Iraq wouldn't have needed to penetrate far in order to get control over some major oil reserves. Throw in some support for the repressed Shia population to encourage a revolt, and you have a completely new situation in the Middle East.

At this point, a smart Saddam guarantees the free flow of oil to the West at greatly reduced prices. Oh, and invite Halliburton to come build things with bloated budgets.

That, I think, might do it.
 
At this point, a smart Saddam guarantees the free flow of oil to the West at greatly reduced prices. Oh, and invite Halliburton to come build things with bloated budgets.

That, I think, might do it.

Agreed, more terrorism from Iran and Hezbollah from this region may make Iraq seem a little less... ...ominous.
 
Iraq's nuclear capacity was destroyed by the Israelis in 1981, with Iraq sanctioned by the west their ability to develop nukes past 1991 would be negligible.

Also here's a breakdown of the world's oil reserves, Kuwait's share would probably be 5% at best.

Below is a good source, if not the best source. See page 37-38 for reserves by country. Obviously my prior estimates were inflated - I dont recall where I got them previously. Regardless, as of year end 1989, pre-invasion, Kuwait and Iraq each account for 10% of proven global oil reserves, or 20% combined. An Iraq which possesses Kuwait would have nearly the same impact on the global economy as Saudi Arabia, which was 25% at the time. I dont see the West letting Saddam having that much influence on the global economy. As to technology, money can buy a lot of things...

http://www.eia.gov/pub/oil_gas/natu...ational_exploration_develop_1991/pdf/0577.pdf
 
The easiest way is for nobody to think of looking for oil in kuwait,without it there will be no oposition to iraq having it.

If that cant be prevented then maybe a more sneaky saddam would work,what if instead of a full blown invasion he manages to get enough inflitrators into the country to triger a coup and then be invited in by the new government,given how small kuwait is flooding it with baathist supporters shouldnt be to hard,they could pretend to be war refugeese.

Then either kuwait refuses them and looks bad or it accepts them and gets a coup.
 
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