Iraqi Perspectives Project Phase II. Um Al-Ma'arik (The Mother of All Battles): Operational and Strategic Insights from an Iraqi Perspective, Volume 1 (Revised May 2008); Final rept

摘要

The purpose of the Iraqi Perspectives Project is to provide the national security community with new insights concerning the long confrontation with Saddam Hussein's Iraq. This study represents a unique look at Operation Desert Storm and the events precipitating it from the perspective of Iraq's senior leadership. Events in this story of the 'Mother of All Battles' (as Saddam designated the war) are drawn from primary Iraqi sources, including government documents, video tapes, audio tapes, maps, and photographs, all captured by U.S. forces in 2003 during Operation Iraqi Freedom. In addition to making the Iraqi perspective available to more analysts, the narrative in this study lends itself to four general purposes: critical analysis, improving historical accuracy, red team development, and a study of adaptation. In support of U.S. Joint Forces Command's ongoing mission to develop operational lessons, this effort will help future warfighters and planners better understand the events of 1990 and 1991 as they wrestle with the challenges of today.