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This war was fought between the State of Israel and a military coalition of Arab states. This was known as the first Arab-Israeli war.
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Israel took control of the Golan Heights, Sinai Peninsula, Gaza Strip, West Bank, and East Jerusalem. Israel gained control of land in the West Bank and Gaza with a large Palestinian population.
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In 1980 Iraq attacked Iran because of border disputes, as well as Iran's new government calling for revolution among Iraq's Shiite population. The war was long and costly, resulting in 500,000 casualties on both sides.
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A U.S. led coalition launched the Persian Gulf War, attacking the Iraqi forces in Kuwait. In weeks, Kuwait was freed. After the war, Iraq failed to cooperate with UN weapon inspectors.
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U.S. leaders were worried Hussein was hiding weapons, so in 2003 another U.S. led coalition invaded Iraq, forcing Hussein out of power. In 2004, political power was transferred to the Iraqis, and Iraq became an Islamic federal democracy.
