Our objectives are clear: Saddam Hussein's forces will leave Kuwait. The legitimate government of Kuwait will be restored to its rightful place, and Kuwait will once again be free. Iraq will eventually comply with all relevant United Nations resolutions, and then, when peace is restored, it is our hope that Iraq will live as a peaceful and cooperative member of the family of nations, thus enhancing the security and stability of the Gulf. Some may ask: Why act now? Why not wait? The answer is clear: The world could wait no longer. Sanctions, though having some effect, showed no signs of accomplishing their objective. Sanctions were tried for well over 5 months, and we and our allies concluded that sanctions alone would not force Saddam from Kuwait.

–Address to the nation announcing allied
military action in the Persian Gulf,
President George H. W. Bush, 1991

Why does President Bush believe that military action is the best course to restore peace and liberate Kuwait?

Peaceful negotiations and sanctions have failed to produce results.
Allies of the US and Kuwait have become impatient for action.
Hussein has a powerful army that only the US can compete with.
Kuwaiti forces have secured and stabilized the region.