London and Washington—Maintaining Naval Cooperation despite Strategic Differences during Operation EARNEST WILL

Authors

Richard A. Mobley

Number

9

Abstract

Recently declassified British records reveal London’s misgivings about America’s 1987 reflagging and escorting of Kuwaiti tankers amid the Iran-Iraq War. This early case study illustrates the challenges of conducting coalition warfare in the Middle East, even with a close, cooperative partner. National-level differences revealed surmountable fissures in coordinating naval strategies and operations, yet the benefits of the relationship justified the friction encountered.

Recommended Citation

Mobley, Richard A. (2021) "London and Washington—Maintaining Naval Cooperation despite Strategic Differences during Operation EARNEST WILL," Naval War College Review: Vol. 74: No. 2, Article 9.
Available at: https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/nwc-review/vol74/iss2/9