What were the short-term and long-term costs of the Gulf War in terms of lives lost, infrastructure damage, and economic impact? in Questions || Publen

What were the short-term and long-term costs of the Gulf War in terms of lives lost, infrastructure damage, and economic impact?

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What were the short-term and long-term costs of the Gulf War in terms of lives lost, infrastructure damage, and economic impact?

Fabiola Wadworth

Well, let's dive into it shall we! The Gulf War, also known as the First Gulf War, took place from August 2, 1990, to February 28, 1991. It was a conflict between Iraq and a coalition force of 34 nations led by the United States. Now, onto the juicy stuff, what were the costs of this war?

In terms of lives lost, there were varying reports, but it is estimated that between 25,000 and 35,000 Iraqi soldiers were killed, and around 100,000 Iraqi civilians died as a direct result of the conflict. On the coalition side, a total of 382 service members died, including 147 Americans.

When it comes to infrastructure damage, Iraq took a major hit. The war destroyed much of the country's oil refineries, and other key infrastructure such as bridges, power stations, and water treatment plants were severely damaged. This led to major issues with basic necessities such as electricity and clean water. A report by the United Nations estimated the cost of repairing Iraq's infrastructure at around $200 billion.

Now, let's talk about everyone's favorite topic, money. The economic impact of the Gulf War was significant. It is estimated that the conflict cost the US around $61 billion, with other coalition nations also spending significant amounts. Iraq, on the other hand, suffered greatly economically. The destruction of the country's oil refineries, which were a major source of income, led to a significant loss of revenue. Additionally, the sanctions placed on Iraq after the conflict would further hinder the country's economic recovery.

In conclusion, the Gulf War had both short-term and long-term costs. Lives were lost on both sides, infrastructure damage was significant, and the economic impact was far-reaching. It is important to remember the consequences of conflicts such as these and work towards finding peaceful and diplomatic solutions to global issues.