I think it is a general dread kind of thing and not referencing anything in particular. I looked over notable events of January 1990 and December 1989, and the only thing that really stood out was the December 1989 US invasion of Panama.

I'm also curious. My initial take was standard US militarized overreaction to minor slights. Iraq didn't invade Kuwait until August 1990, so it's not that. But this Outland sure is apropos now!

It wouldn't be the first reference to library books from Breathed.