Three Kings is a satirical film that takes place during the Iraqi uprising against Saddam Hussein following the Gulf War. The film opens with an Iraqi Army soldier trying to surrender as US troops try to tie up loose ends following the end of the Gulf War. A small group of American soldiers infiltrate one of Hussein's bunkers containing millions of dollars of gold that had been stolen from Kuwait. Originally, the soldiers had planned on taking the gold; however, upon their arrival, they discover that Saddam's first priority is to persecute the Iraqi civilians as many of them wish to oppose this dictator--not keeping the stolen gold. The Iraqi civilians had been told to rise up against Saddam Hussein and the US military would help them; however, they soon find that they were lacking in American support. When the soldiers discover this, they then feel obliged to help these civilians escape the brutal torcher that they are enduring and witnessing. The Americans decide to risk their lives in order to escort the civilians across the Iranian border, which results in losing much of the gold they had originally scavenged.
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The conflict between Iran and Iraq during the Iran-Iraq War began mainly over oil resources; however differing religion also played a major factor in this tension. The Iraqi government became unsatisfied with Iran's possession of the Khuzestan province as it was extremely oil-rich--a resource that almost always increases in value. This Khuzestan province was home to many Arabic speaking Iranians. The war broke out in fear that the Shiite revolution that was occurring in Iran would soon spread to Iraq. More tensions added to this religion-based war as both nation claimed territory of the opposing nation. The United Arab Emirates and Kuwait were constantly exceeding their OPEC quotas for oil production and--in doing so--were over-producing oil. This resulted in a downfall of oil prices which created Iraq's loss of $7 billion a year. From this extreme loss of money, Iraq then decided to invade Kuwait which marked the beginning of the Gulf War--an entirely oil-based conflict. Iraq then bombed Kuwaits oil fields which remained burning--despite ongoing efforts--until long after the end of the conflict. Throughout this ongoing conflict between the Arabs and Israelis, there wave been four wars between the two opposing forces: the War of Independence, the Suez Crisis, the Six Days War, and the Yom Kippur War. The War of Independence was fought between a coalition Arab states and Palestinian Arab forces against Israel. The war ended in Israeli victory and the defeat of the Palestinian Arabs. The Suez Crisis was both a diplomatic and military confrontation in the latter half of 1956 between Egypt and the coalition of Israel, France and Britain that resulted in a political victory for the Soviets/Egypt. The Six Days War was between Israel and a collaborated Egypt, Jordan and Syria that resulted in an Israeli victory. The capture of the Gaza Strip and Sinai Peninsula from Egypt as well as the West Bank from Jordan, and the Golan Heights from Syria were all a part of the Israeli victory of the Six Days War. Finally, the Yom Kippur War in 1973 was fought between the coalition of Arab states (led by Egypt and Syria) against Israel. This war that was initiated on a national holiday (Yom Kippur) once again resulted in Israeli victory; however, Egypt also accomplished political and strategic gains. Overall, these conflicts have all further established the country of Israel. The Ottoman Empire broke apart in 1916, this divided France and Britain which them led to the division of the shared territories (mandates.) After this, Britain then went on to gain control over the Middle East and expand the British Empire. The British promised the Jews that they would set up a Jewish homeland in Palestine; meanwhile, they had also promised independence in the same region to the Arabs. This British involvement is what began the Arab-Israeli conflict, making things much worse in the Middle East following World War I due to certain mandates and promises made. Had it not been for this outside involvement, perhaps this immense tension and turmoil among the Arabs and Jews would never have existed. Although the United Nations have put in much effort, they have been unsuccessful in creating world peace due to this unsolved conflict in the Middle East that remains to this day to create tension world-wide. |
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