Tanker War in the Gulf: Operation Earnest Will, Diplomacy and Seapower in Practice Hardcover – January 22, 2026

The story of the successful American escort of Kuwaiti tankers through the Strait of Hormuz and Persian Gulf in the late 1980s."... a masterful demonstration of analysing history, gaining profound insight from an event and making it useful to understanding of the past, present and future. The work brilliantly marries historical analysis with contemporary strategic thought, rigorously testing and refining our understanding of seapower in practice." ― The Naval ReviewThe past four decades have seen a number of US military interventions in the Middle East, but only one of them is retrospectively seen as a success: Operation Earnest Will, the escort of Kuwaiti tankers through the Persian Gulf in 1987 and 1988. As an officer who participated in this operation who then served in the region as a diplomat, Tom Duffy offers a unique perspective on Earnest Will. He argues that the fact that Earnest Will was a limited war and that it was fought with navies was key to its success. Forty years later, this operation remains relevant to security policy, especially with regard to a potential conflict with China.This new and descriptive account discusses every aspect of the operation, including the role of other navies in the Gulf at the time—especially the Royal Navy, ships operating in conjunction with the Western European Union, and the Soviet navy. Relevant strategic and political elements are covered, such as parallel activities in the UN Security Council and the role of UN Security Council Resolutions in ending the war.  Considering the short-, medium-, and long-term impacts of Operation Earnest Will, Duffy explains how this maritime, limited war option illustrates key concepts from classical strategic thinkers, and why it is a demonstrably effective way to advance political goals and an example to keep in mind when facing future challenges, both in the Middle East as well as East Asia.Table of ContentsPreface1. The Return of Classical Strategy2. The Strategic Context of Operation Earnest Will3. November 1986 to July 1987 - Into Harm’s Way4. July to October 1987 – the Convoys Begin5. October 1987 to April 1988 – A Series of Retaliatory Events6. April to August 1988 – To End a War7. Examination of efforts of other – especially European – Navies8. Outcomes of Earnest Will, short term and long term9. What the Tanker War reveals about the nature of seapower and why it matters todayGlossaryEndnotesBibliographyIndex Read more