Dateline August 9 , 1990 . What military planners call the "aluminum bridge" across the Atlantic was now in operation. Yesterday Iraq announced that it formally annexed Kuwait , the rich , oil - producing nation it invaded last Thursday . The US and Iraq appear closer to confrontation over the situation . Referring to the buildup of U.S. forces in the Region , Iraq said they would fight . America 's President Bush stressed that our force there is intended to counter the threatened Saudi Arabia . Iraq fields a battle - trained army wielding modern Soviet - made tanks and formidable air- defense weapons . It 's surface - to - surface Scud missiles and chemical warfare is daunting . However , General Powell said , " We view them as a capable military force . But they are not invincible .... "
Dateline August 9 , 1990 . Yesterday Iraq announced that it formally annexed Kuwait , the rich , oil - producing nation it invaded last Thursday . The US and Iraq appear closer to confrontation over the situation . Referring to the buildup of U.S. forces in the Region , Iraq said they would fight . America 's President Bush stressed that our force there is intended to counter the threatened Saudi Arabia . Iraq fields a battle - trained army wielding modern Soviet - made tanks and formidable air- defense weapons . It 's surface - to - surface Scud missiles and chemical warfare is daunting . However , General Powell said , " We view them as a capable military force . But they are not invincible .... "