Episode 1 - Old Newscast: The Gulf War, Operation Desert Storm, 1991 (Part 1)

In this episode, the BBC podcast begins a three-part series on the first Gulf War, with a focus on January 17, 1991, marking the start of Operation Desert Storm. The discussion notes that the conflict arose after Iraq, under Saddam Hussein, invaded Kuwait in 1990, prompting a coalition of nations led by the United States to intervene. The episode features correspondents Justin Webb, Kate Adie, and Jeremy Bowen recalling their experiences as they reported on the unfolding events from the front lines.

The panel discusses the atmosphere surrounding the beginning of the war, characterized by the looming threat of Saddam Hussein's Scud missiles that carried the potential for biological and chemical warfare. The episode recounts the immediate moments following the announcement of war by President George H.W. Bush, with journalists scrambling to prepare and respond to the sudden escalation of conflict.

The correspondents reflect on their roles in the initial stages of the operation, the challenges of reporting from within a military context, and the feelings of tension and uncertainty that permeated the air. Furthermore, the episode explores the geopolitical context of the war, the formation of a broad international coalition against Iraq, and the unique historical moment that allowed for such unification against a single powerful adversary.