The final outcome of the Persian Gulf War in the early 1990s was a decisive defeat for Iraq, leading to the liberation of Kuwait. Initiated by Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in August 1990, a U.N.-led coalition launched Operation Desert Storm in January 1991, which quickly overwhelmed Iraqi forces. The war demonstrated U.S. military supremacy and coalition unity in the face of aggression. Although the conflict resulted in a successful military campaign, it created long-term regional tensions and set the stage for future interventions in the Middle East.