Understanding the Conflicts

Background on Iraq and Kuwait

In the early 1990s, Iraq invaded its neighbour, Kuwait. This invasion caused a big concern for many countries, including Britain. In response, Britain joined other nations in a coalition force to help free Kuwait. This was known as the Gulf War, and it ended with Kuwait being liberated in 1991.

Conflict in the Former Yugoslavia

During the same time, there were conflicts in the Former Republic of Yugoslavia, where different ethnic groups fought each other. Britain, along with other NATO countries, intervened to help restore peace.

War on Terror

After the events of September 11, 2001, when terrorists attacked the United States, Britain focused on fighting international terrorism. This led to military actions in Afghanistan and Iraq:

  • Afghanistan: British troops went to Afghanistan to help remove the Taliban government, which was sheltering a terrorist group called Al Qa’ida. The aim was to stop Afghanistan from being a safe place for terrorists to plan attacks.
  • Iraq: Britain also participated in the invasion of Iraq in 2003, based on claims that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction.

British Involvement

  • British combat troops left Iraq in 2009.
  • In Afghanistan, the UK was part of a group of 50 countries known as the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). This mission was approved by the United Nations and was done at the request of the Afghan government.

Goals of ISAF

The main goals of ISAF included:

  1. Ensuring that Afghanistan would not be used by terrorist groups to plan attacks.
  2. Building the Afghan National Security Forces to maintain peace and security.
  3. Helping to create a safe environment where the Afghan government could grow and develop responsibly.

By the end of 2014, it was planned that Afghan forces would take full responsibility for security in their country.

Questions for Review

Easy Level Questions

  1. What year did Iraq invade Kuwait?
    • A) 1989
    • B) 1990
    • C) 1991
    • D) 1992
  2. What was the main goal of the Gulf War?
    • A) To invade Iraq
    • B) To liberate Kuwait
    • C) To help Yugoslavia
    • D) To create a new government
  3. Which group did British troops fight against in Afghanistan?
    • A) Al Qa’ida
    • B) The Taliban
    • C) Both A and B
    • D) None of the above
  4. When did British combat troops leave Iraq?
    • A) 2007
    • B) 2008
    • C) 2009
    • D) 2010
  5. What does ISAF stand for?
    • A) International Security Assistance Force
    • B) Immediate Security Assistance Force
    • C) International Support Aid Force
    • D) None of the above
  6. Who invited ISAF to operate in Afghanistan?
    • A) The UN
    • B) The Afghan government
    • C) NATO
    • D) Iraq
  7. What was one of the main purposes of ISAF in Afghanistan?
    • A) To start a new war
    • B) To build schools
    • C) To stop terrorism
    • D) To take control of the government
  8. Which country did Britain help liberate in the 1990s?
    • A) Iraq
    • B) Kuwait
    • C) Afghanistan
    • D) Yugoslavia
  9. What event triggered the War on Terror?
    • A) The Gulf War
    • B) September 11 attacks
    • C) The invasion of Iraq
    • D) The fall of the Taliban
  10. How many nations were part of the ISAF coalition?
    • A) 30
    • B) 40
    • C) 50
    • D) 60

Medium Level Questions

  1. What was a reason for Britain’s involvement in the Iraq War?
    • A) To support Kuwait
    • B) To find weapons of mass destruction
    • C) To combat global warming
    • D) To promote trade
  2. What year did the Gulf War end?
    • A) 1990
    • B) 1991
    • C) 1992
    • D) 1993
  3. Which country was a main supporter of the Taliban?
    • A) Iran
    • B) Iraq
    • C) Pakistan
    • D) Saudi Arabia
  4. What does the UK hope to achieve by building Afghan National Security Forces?
    • A) More foreign troops in Afghanistan
    • B) A stronger Afghan government
    • C) To end all conflicts in the region
    • D) None of the above
  5. What was one major outcome of NATO’s involvement in the Former Yugoslavia?
    • A) A new country was created
    • B) Peace was restored in the region
    • C) More countries joined NATO
    • D) The conflict worsened
  6. What kind of government was in Afghanistan before ISAF intervention?
    • A) Democratic
    • B) Totalitarian
    • C) Taliban regime
    • D) Monarchy
  7. Why is it important that Afghanistan does not become a safe haven for terrorists?
    • A) It could lead to attacks on other countries
    • B) It would make Afghanistan richer
    • C) It would improve tourism
    • D) None of the above
  8. What year was it planned for Afghan forces to have full security responsibility?
    • A) 2012
    • B) 2014
    • C) 2016
    • D) 2018
  9. What does the UN do in relation to international conflicts?
    • A) It starts wars
    • B) It helps to resolve conflicts
    • C) It supports all sides
    • D) It fights for countries
  10. How did the British government justify the invasion of Iraq?
    • A) To find oil reserves
    • B) To eliminate weapons of mass destruction
    • C) To support the Afghan government
    • D) To control trade routes

Hard Level Questions

  1. Which significant global event led to increased British military involvement in Afghanistan?
    • A) The Gulf War
    • B) The September 11 attacks
    • C) The fall of the Berlin Wall
    • D) The invasion of Kuwait
  2. How did the UK contribute to the International Security Assistance Force?
    • A) By providing funding only
    • B) By sending combat troops
    • C) By offering logistical support
    • D) Both B and C
  3. Which of the following was NOT a goal of the ISAF?
    • A) To train Afghan security forces
    • B) To establish a democratic government
    • C) To eliminate terrorism
    • D) To spread British culture
  4. What was the impact of British troops leaving Iraq in 2009?
    • A) Increased violence and instability
    • B) Peace and stability were maintained
    • C) It led to a new government
    • D) None of the above
  5. What were the main factors that contributed to the conflict in the Former Republic of Yugoslavia?
    • A) Economic issues and ethnic tensions
    • B) Religious differences
    • C) Political decisions made by the government
    • D) All of the above
  6. Why is the building of local security forces important in conflict zones like Afghanistan?
    • A) It allows for foreign troops to leave
    • B) It prevents foreign influence
    • C) It helps maintain local stability
    • D) All of the above
  7. What type of government does ISAF support in Afghanistan?
    • A) Military dictatorship
    • B) Democratic government
    • C) Monarchy
    • D) Theocratic government
  8. What did the UK and its allies aim to prevent in Afghanistan?
    • A) Economic growth
    • B) Drug production
    • C) Safe havens for terrorists
    • D) All of the above
  9. What was the role of the UN in Afghanistan?
    • A) To lead the military operations
    • B) To help with humanitarian efforts
    • C) To create a new government
    • D) To eliminate all forms of leadership
  10. What major challenge does ISAF face in Afghanistan?
    • A) Lack of food supplies
    • B) Cultural differences
    • C) Building trust with local populations
    • D) Weather conditions

Answers

Easy Level Answers

  1. B
  2. B
  3. C
  4. C
  5. A
  6. B
  7. C
  8. B
  9. B
  10. C

Medium Level Answers

  1. B
  2. B
  3. C
  4. B
  5. B
  6. C
  7. A
  8. B
  9. B
  10. B

Hard Level Answers

  1. B
  2. D
  3. D
  4. A
  5. D
  6. D
  7. B
  8. C
  9. B
  10. C