A Map of Home ties the personal experiences of the protagonist, Nidali, to the backdrop of historical events in the Middle East. One of the most crucial catalysts in the novel is the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and the subsequent Gulf War, which occurred in the early 1990s. The invasion of Kuwait serves as a pivotal moment that divides A Map of Home, separating Nidali’s childhood into two parts: The relative innocence and stability of her early childhood gives way to the nomadic uncertainty of her adolescence.

Iraqi forces invaded Kuwait on August 2, 1990. Led by Saddam Hussein, they crossed the border and fully occupied the smaller, oil-rich nation within two days. The invasion was met with international condemnation and triggered a series of events that had far-reaching consequences for the region and the world. The invasion was the culmination of longstanding political and territorial disputes between Iraq and Kuwait. Iraq accused Kuwait of overproducing oil and driving down oil prices, leading to economic hardships for Iraq. The international community, led by the United Nations and the United States, swiftly condemned the invasion and called for the immediate withdrawal of Iraqi forces from Kuwait.