Deterring Iraq: The UK Experience

After deploying forces to Kuwait to forestall an incursion in July, 1961, the United Kingdom faced the daunting challenge of deterring an Iraqi invasion of Kuwait for nearly a decade. Informed by volumes of recently declassified UK documents, a review of the interplay among intelligence, contingency planning and force posture provides a useful case study of deterrence under conditions affording little to no warning. It particularly emphasizes the value of a bounded, realistic military strategy, delegation of authority to the operational commander, and the utility of a responsive intelligence collection and analysis system.