In the 1990's the United States established the role of world law enforcer. This was shown by the many interventions of the US in foreign affairs such as in the Persian Gulf War and the support given to the UN in Somalia.

            After the end of the cold war, the world saw the rise of pocket terrorism. The middle east, and Africa had their share of tyrants wanting to rule the world. The decade began with Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait on August 2, 1990. Both President Bush and the UN were against this invasion and the US started to build up troops via Saudi Arabia. On January 1991, the US congress authorized the use of force to end the Iraqi occupation of Kuwait. The Allied forces start bombing at January 17 after the UN deadline for Iraqi withdrawal on January 15. The Iraqis flee Kuwait on February 26, 1991 and the cease fire took effect on February 28. With the US forces liberating Kuwait from the rule of Saddam Hussein, the US was motivated to play the role of equalizer, aiding those oppressed.

            The liberation of Kuwait in 1991 was followed by the US aiding the African country of Somalia in 1993. Somalia was in a civil war. A warlord named Mohamed Farrah Aidid was trying to overthrow the government of Mohamed Siad Barre. He was successful in deposing Barre and thereafter became the next dictator. He forced the UN out of the country and the nation suffered oppression of the people. US President George Bush orders 25,000 US soldiers to be sent to Somalia on December 5, 1992. On December 9, the first marines land on the beach with the objective of providing a secure environment so that food can get through. After Bush's term ended, Clinton took over and ordered the reduction of troops in Somalia. By June, the number of troops in Somalia was reduced to 1,200 with 3,000 support troops. However, in June, due to a massacre on June 5, the UN and US troops had started a war with Aidid, the Somali warlord. Aidid, however, disappeared and was last seen on July 29. The Clinton administration started to search for Aidid but by October, President Clinton decided to cut his losses and declared the withdrawal of US forces. The US forces fully withdrew by March 31 after abandoning the search for Aidid.

            The decade went on as the US, using military strength, proved itself as the peacekeeper of the world. To the oppressed it was a show of compassion and support, but to the rest of the world it was a show of might and authority. The 1990's made the world realize that US indeed is one of the world's strongest superpowers.