Final answer:
Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein ordered the invasion of Kuwait on August 2, 1990, leading to Operation Desert Shield to counter further Iraqi aggression and prepare for an offensive operation, culminating in Operation Desert Storm, which liberated Kuwait.
Step-by-step explanation:
On August 2, 1990, Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein ordered troops to invade Kuwait, an action that led to international condemnation, the imposition of a UN economic embargo, and the initiation of Operation Desert Shield. This US-led military operation aimed to prevent further aggression by Iraqi forces and set the stage for Operation Desert Storm, which would begin seven months later.
Desert Shield evolved from a defensive maneuver into a staging ground for a planned offensive that would ultimately liberate Kuwait from Iraqi control. It highlighted the unease in the region and the world’s intolerance for military aggression, as it united a coalition of 34 countries, including many from the Middle East, who feared Saddam Hussein’s ambition to dominate the region.
When Iraq failed to withdraw from Kuwait by the UN Security Council’s deadline, the coalition launched a powerful military campaign, Operation Desert Storm, on January 16, 1991. Significant ground force offensives began on February 24, quickly overwhelming Iraqi troops. Within four days of intense combat, Iraqi forces capitulated, agreeing to evacuate and restoring Kuwait's sovereignty.