Using complete sentences, summarize two conflicts that took place in the Middle East after 1990. Identify the name of the conflict and the main countries or groups involved, and describe why the conflict occurred.

The Gulf War was a conflict that involved Iraq, Kuwait, and 39 additional countries. The leader of Iraq, Saddam Hussein, invaded the small country of Kuwait and seized its oil fields. The president of the United States at the time, George H.W. Bush, led a coalition of 39 countries to stop Saddam Hussein and to help the citizens of Kuwait. The conflict in Afghanistan began in 2001 after the United States was attacked by a terrorist group. The United States believed that Afghanistan was harboring the terrorists responsible for the attacks, so it invaded the country and overthrew its government. The efforts to rebuild and stabilize the country are ongoing. The war in Iraq started in 2003. The conflict was between Iraq, the United States, and a few US allies. It was believed that Iraq was in possession of weapons of mass destruction and also linked to terrorist activities. The United States invaded Iraq and overthrew its government. The efforts to rebuild, stabilize, and create a democracy in Iraq are ongoing. Many internal conflicts, known as the Arab Spring, erupted in the Middle East starting in January of 2011. Citizens in countries such as Lebanon, Egypt, Syria, Tunisia, Libya, and Bahrain led protests against their governments. The people living in these countries are tired of living under dictators that do not allow them to participate in government and treat them unfairly.

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