Iraq

Background

• Ottomon Empire• WWI• Independence• Anglo-Iraqi War• Republic of Iraq• Saddam Hussein’s regime• Conflict with Iran• Human Rights abuses – Kurdish massacres• Gulf War

Sanctions against Saddam Hussein’s Regime

• Anup Shah: After the resulting Persian Gulf War by the US to oust Saddam Hussein’s forces from Kuwait, the United Nations imposed sanctions on Iraq. The US and UK enforced it thoroughly, even when other nations wanted them lifted for the sanctions strengthened Saddam’s regime and hurt the people of Iraq.

http://www.globalissues.org/issue/104/iraq-crisis

Iraq War

• Also known as:– Second Gulf War– Operation Iraqi Freedom– Operation New Dawn– Occupation of Iraq

Reasoning

• Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs)• Iraq had defied UN Resolution 1441, which

demanded Iraqi disarmament and threatened action if this didn’t happen.

• Association by the US of Iraq with terrorism and al-Qaeda.

• “Spread of Democracy”

The Operation

• 20 March 2003, US attack begins with ‘shock and awe’ bombing.

• Coalition of the willing (Britain, Australia and Poland) invades from the south.

• Baghdad falls on 9 April 2003.• Democratic transformation of Iraq.• Ongoing conflict.

Article

• “Far Graver than Vietnam” by Sidney Blumenthal, The Guardian, 2004.