Final answer:
The United States came to the rescue and stayed on as the major Western influence in the region during and after the Gulf War of 1990-91.
Step-by-step explanation:
The major Western influence in the region during and after the Gulf War of 1990-91 was the United States. The United States, along with Great Britain and a coalition of other nations, came to the rescue of Kuwait when it was invaded by Iraq. The coalition forces launched a ground invasion and successfully liberated Kuwait from Iraqi control.
In response to the crisis, the coalition, led by President George H. W. Bush and backed by United Nations resolutions, launched a decisive military campaign against Iraq. The war showcased the U.S.'s military prowess and signified the end of "Vietnam Syndrome." Saudi Arabia played a key role in the coalition by providing bases to Western military forces, despite the potential for extremist backlash which was later manifested in the 9/11 attacks.