The decision to go to war against Iraq to liberate Kuwait, back in 1991, marked the beginning of America’s role as the sole hegemonic military power in the region. The decision to go to war against Iraq for a second time, and then to occupy the country in March 2003, transformed this hegemony into direct US responsibility for the future of the Middle East.
1991年做出对伊宣战、解放科威特的决定，标志着美国开始成为中东地区唯一的军事霸权。第二次对伊宣战、并在2003年3月占领伊拉克，将美国的军事霸权演变成了对中东未来所承担的直接责任。