Description

Desert Shield: Iraq's Invasion of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia is the first in a series of three wargames (Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and Operation Iraqi Freedom) that encompasses the Gulf War at the divisional scale. The primary mechanism of play is the Activation Cards that give players the opportunity to operate within the political environment of the Gulf War (in addition the the military realm). It is not enough for players to simply engage in combat; every decision must be weighed against possible political repercussions. Iraq may invade Kuwait, but can the Iraqi player play the proper political cards to foment division among the potential Coalition partners so as to control Kuwait, or at least control Kuwait long enough to leverage additional options? Can the Iraqi player actually invade Saudi Arabia before the Coalition partners prepare Operation Desert Shield? Might Iran become embroiled, or even Israel, or possibly even the Soviets if the region becomes thoroughly destabilized? Players must not only fight and win ground campaigns, but must do so deftly within the present political environment (as created by the card play) to maximize their chances to win the game. Perhaps the Gulf War might never happen, or perhaps an entirely different kind of war will erupt, a war that might see a larger war throughout the Middle East.