Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Desert Storm in January-February 1991 is known for its dazzling display of technological brilliance, forecasting a so-called revolution in military affairs that promised the United States a cheap alternative to wars of the past. The lop-sided victory over Iraqi forces in Kuwait in 1991 seemed to forecast a new American way of war that was cheap, decisive, and limited bloodshed—at least for American forces. Showcasing high-tech weapon systems in a five-week air campaign which culminated with a 100-hour ground war, the technology seemed overwhelming. This talk examines the technology that went into the victory but asks whether this technology was as widespread as it appeared on television, and what was the role of the post-Vietnam training revolution in leading to the overwhelming success.
Dr. Mark T. Gerges serves as the Deputy Director, Department of Military History, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. He served twenty years in armor units, taught history at the United States Military Academy at West Point and commanded a tank company during Operation Desert Storm. He received his PhD from Florida State University and retired from the Army in 2004. He has taught at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College since 2002, both in uniform and as a civilian faculty member.
The Ft. Leavenworth Series is an annual roster of lectures focusing on significant historical events, usually with an emphasis on military history. Each lecture is presented by faculty from the United States Army Command and General Staff College in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. Established by General William Tecumseh Sherman in 1881, the CGSC is the graduate college for U.S. Army and sister service officers. The esteemed faculty and guests of the CGSC provide unique and captivating insights into the history of military conflict from the ancient to the modern ages at the Dole Institute of Politics.
The opinions expressed herein are those of the individual and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency.
Submit your questions to dolequestions@ku.edu for the question-and-answer portion of the program.
For more information, visit our website: doleinstitute.org
Find us on our other platforms:
Facebook facebook.com/DoleInstitute
Twitter twitter.com/DoleInstitute
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The Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics is dedicated to promoting political and civic participation as well as civil discourse in a bipartisan, philosophically balanced manner. It is located on KU’s West Campus and houses the Dole Archive and Special Collections. Through its robust public programming, congressional archive, and museum, the Dole Institute strives to celebrate public service and the legacies of US Senators Bob Dole and Elizabeth Dole.
Desert Storm in January-February 1991 is known for its dazzling display of technological brilliance, forecasting a so-called revolution in military affairs that promised the United States a cheap alternative to wars of the past. The lop-sided victory over Iraqi forces in Kuwait in 1991 seemed to forecast a new American way of war that was cheap, decisive, and limited bloodshed—at least for American forces. Showcasing high-tech weapon systems in a five-week air campaign which culminated with a 100-hour ground war, the technology seemed overwhelming. This talk examines the technology that went into the victory but asks whether this technology was as widespread as it appeared on television, and what was the role of the post-Vietnam training revolution in leading to the overwhelming success.
Dr. Mark T. Gerges serves as the Deputy Director, Department of Military History, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. He served twenty years in armor units, taught history at the United States Military Academy at West Point and commanded a tank company during Operation Desert Storm. He received his PhD from Florida State University and retired from the Army in 2004. He has taught at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College since 2002, both in uniform and as a civilian faculty member.
The Ft. Leavenworth Series is an annual roster of lectures focusing on significant historical events, usually with an emphasis on military history. Each lecture is presented by faculty from the United States Army Command and General Staff College in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. Established by General William Tecumseh Sherman in 1881, the CGSC is the graduate college for U.S. Army and sister service officers. The esteemed faculty and guests of the CGSC provide unique and captivating insights into the history of military conflict from the ancient to the modern ages at the Dole Institute of Politics.
The opinions expressed herein are those of the individual and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency.
Submit your questions to dolequestions@ku.edu for the question-and-answer portion of the program.
For more information, visit our website: doleinstitute.org
Find us on our other platforms:
Facebook facebook.com/DoleInstitute
Twitter twitter.com/DoleInstitute
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/doleinstitu...
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...
The Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics is dedicated to promoting political and civic participation as well as civil discourse in a bipartisan, philosophically balanced manner. It is located on KU’s West Campus and houses the Dole Archive and Special Collections. Through its robust public programming, congressional archive, and museum, the Dole Institute strives to celebrate public service and the legacies of US Senators Bob Dole and Elizabeth Dole.
