War in Iraq

## Background Information- War in Iraq

The war in Iraq was a military conflict that lasted from 2003 to 2011. The conflict was primarily between the United States and its allies, and the government of Iraq led by Saddam Hussein. The primary reason given for the invasion of Iraq was that Saddam Hussein was believed to possess weapons of mass destruction, and that he posed a threat to international security. However, after the invasion, no such weapons were found, leading many to question the justification for the war.

The conflict in Iraq was controversial from the beginning, with many people around the world protesting the invasion. Critics of the war argued that it was illegal, as it was not authorized by the United Nations. Others argued that the invasion was unjustified, as it was based on flawed intelligence that was not thoroughly examined.

The war in Iraq had far-reaching consequences for both the Iraqi people and the international community. The conflict resulted in the removal of Saddam Hussein from power and the establishment of a new government in Iraq. However, the war also resulted in the deaths of many soldiers and civilians, and it had a profound impact on the political and social landscape of Iraq.

The war also had implications for the United States and its relationships with other countries around the world. The invasion of Iraq was controversial and divisive, with many countries expressing their opposition to the conflict. The war strained the relationships between the United States and its traditional allies, and it had a significant impact on international politics.

## President Bush- War in Iraq

As President of the United States, George W. Bush ordered the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. Bush argued that Iraq was developing weapons of mass destruction, and that Saddam Hussein's regime posed a significant threat to international security. The U.S.-led invasion of Iraq was launched on March 20, 2003, with the goal of disarming Iraq and overthrowing Saddam Hussein.

During the initial phase of the invasion, which began on March 20, 2003, Bush authorized the use of a massive military force, which included approximately 177,000 U.S. troops and tens of thousands of coalition troops from other countries, such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and Poland.

The invasion was launched from Kuwait, with the goal of quickly disarming Iraq and overthrowing Saddam Hussein's regime. The initial phase of the invasion was swift and successful, with coalition forces capturing key cities such as Basra and quickly advancing on the capital, Baghdad.

One key element of the invasion was the use of precision airstrikes and other high-tech weapons, which allowed coalition forces to quickly gain the upper hand over Iraqi defenses. In particular, the use of precision-guided munitions and unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) proved to be highly effective in neutralizing Iraqi defenses.

As the coalition forces advanced towards Baghdad, they encountered some resistance from Iraqi troops and paramilitary forces. However, the overall resistance was relatively limited, and the coalition forces were able to quickly secure key objectives and push towards the capital.

On April 9, 2003, the coalition forces reached Baghdad, and Saddam Hussein's regime was quickly toppled. Jubilant crowds took to the streets, and the coalition declared victory in the initial phase of the invasion.

However, the swift military victory did not bring an end to the conflict. The post-invasion period proved to be far more challenging, with the country descending into chaos and sectarian violence.

## Post-invasion period- War in Iraq

The post-invasion period in Iraq was characterized by widespread violence, instability, and a lack of effective governance. In the immediate aftermath of the invasion, the coalition established the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA), which was tasked with governing the country until a new Iraqi government could be established.

The CPA faced numerous challenges, including the lack of security, the disbanding of the Iraqi army, and the failure to adequately plan for the post-invasion period. The lack of effective governance created a power vacuum, which was quickly filled by various factions, including sectarian militias and insurgent groups.

The post-invasion period was marked by a wave of violence, including suicide bombings, car bombings, and other attacks on coalition forces and civilians. The violence was driven in part by sectarian tensions between Iraq's Sunni and Shia communities, which had been suppressed under Saddam Hussein's regime.

The coalition forces, which initially focused on counter-insurgency operations, gradually shifted their strategy towards a more community-based approach, working with local leaders and tribal councils to establish security and stability in the country. This strategy proved to be more effective in reducing violence, but it was not without its challenges.

The United States and its allies also faced significant criticism for their handling of the post-invasion period, including the failure to adequately plan for the reconstruction of Iraq's infrastructure and the disbanding of the Iraqi army. The lack of effective governance and security also contributed to the rise of extremist groups, such as Al Qaeda in Iraq and later, the Islamic State.