Final answer:
The US government supported Saddam Hussein during the Iran-Iraq War, but did not directly support his rise to power in Iraq. The US and other nations launched a coalition to defend Kuwait when Iraq invaded in 1990.
Step-by-step explanation:
The US government supported Saddam Hussein to come to power in Iraq during the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988). The United States provided industrial supplies and materials to Iraq during this conflict. However, the US came into conflict with Iraq during the Gulf War in 1990 when Iraq invaded Kuwait. The US and other nations launched a coalition to defend Kuwait, but Iraq remained in power.
It is important to note that the US's support for Saddam Hussein during the Iran-Iraq War does not indicate direct support for his rise to power. The relationship shifted over time as geopolitical circumstances changed.