Ends Versus Means: A Critical Analysis of the Persian Gulf Crisis (1987-1988)

摘要

An analysis of the 1987-88 Persian Gulf crisis is pursued by examining therelationship between the stated political objectives and the military means (role of force) used in attempting to attain those goals. The purpose of this study is twofold: First, to evaluate the strategic process that led to U.S. involvement in the Gulf and determine how effective that process was in achieving the stated political goals. And second, to evaluate allied cooperation and NATO's effort to address Persian Gulf security issues and its subsequent impact on the U.S. reflagging policy. The study does not evaluate tactics but rather focuses on the strategic perspective of U.S. Persian Gulf policy in terms of the relationship between ends and means, objectives and resources, and capabilities and intentions.