Best Defense

Thomas E. Ricks' daily take on national security.

Push comes to shove: Was the 1991 Gulf conflict a war, a campaign, or just the opening volley in a 23-year (so far) war?

A group is looking to erect a monument to those who served in Desert Storm.

desertstorm
desertstorm

Normally Americans erect big time monuments to those who served in wars. Now a group is looking to erect a monument to those who served in Desert Storm.

Normally Americans erect big time monuments to those who served in wars. Now a group is looking to erect a monument to those who served in Desert Storm.

Which brings up a question I have heard quietly discussed many times, but never really in public: Was the 1991 Gulf conflict a war?

I think not. But I know and respect people who think I am wrong.

Scott Nelson/Getty Images

Thomas E. Ricks covered the U.S. military from 1991 to 2008 for the Wall Street Journal and then the Washington Post. He can be reached at ricksblogcomment@gmail.com. Twitter: @tomricks1

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