1924 - 41st president of the USA from 1989, a
Republican. He was director of the Central
Intelligence Agency (CIA) 1976-81 and US vice
president 1981-89. He faced economic
recession in the USA and was the driving
force behind international opposition to
Iraq's invasion of Kuwait 1990. Evidence came
to light in 1987 linking him with the
Irangate scandal. His responses as president
to the Soviet leader Gorbachev's diplomatic
initiatives were initially criticized as
inadequate, but sending US troops to depose
his former ally, General Noriega of Panama,
proved a popular move at home. Success in the
1991 Gulf War against Iraq further raised his
standing.