Baker, James Addison, III (1930-...), served as United States secretary of state under President George H. W. Bush from 1989 to 1992. As secretary, Baker helped form the coalition of countries that fought Iraq in the Persian Gulf War of 1991. After the war, he helped coordinate relief efforts for Kurdish refugees in Iraq. The Kurds had fled their homes in Iraq after the Iraqi military put down a rebellion there. Baker promoted peace between Arab countries and Israel.