Duffy, Tom Tanker War in the Gulf

Operation Earnest Will, Diplomacy and Seapower in Practice

Over the past four decades, there have been a number of US military interventions in the Middle East, but only one of them is considered a success in retrospect: Operation Earnest Will, the escort of Kuwaiti tankers through the Persian Gulf in 1987 and 1988. As an officer who participated in this operation and subsequently served as a diplomat in the region, Tom Duffy offers a unique perspective on Earnest Will. He argues that the fact that Earnest Will was a limited war and was fought with naval forces was the key to its success. Forty years later, this operation remains relevant to security policy, particularly with regard to a possible conflict with China. This new and vivid account covers all aspects of the operation, including the role of other navies in the Gulf at the timenotably the Royal Navy, ships operating in cooperation with the Western European Union, and the Soviet Navy. Relevant strategic and political elements are also covered, such as parallel activities in the UN Security Council and the role of UN Security Council resolutions in ending the war. Considering the short-, medium- and long-term effects of Operation Earnest Will, Duffy explains how this maritime, limited war option illustrates key concepts of classical strategists and why it is a proven effective means of advancing political objectives and an example to keep in mind with regard to future challenges in both the Middle East and East Asia.