Why did America invade Iraq in 2003 and how does it affect today's world? The Iraq war started with President George W. Bush on Thursday, March 20, 2003, and end with President Barack Obama on Sunday, December 18, 2011, when the last troops were ordered to pull out. Although the Iraq war officially ended in 2011, many long-lasting effects of the war have yet to be adequately addressed by the United States. The Iraq war was not only the catalyst for increased instability in the middle east but also created vast terrorist networks, which eventually became ISIS, as well as an enormous economic and societal cost due to the war. The damage caused by the Iraq war ranges from an increase in a common anti-American sentiment to corruption in the Iraqi …show more content…
As the world's top superpower and the country that spends the most on their military, you might not think about the cost of war or conflict, but it has a huge effect on America's economy. “The U.S. war in Iraq has cost $1.7 trillion with an additional $490 billion in benefits owed to war veterans, expenses that could grow to more than $6 trillion over the next four decades counting interest” (Trotta). War drains resources from productive use so that the economy has a less productive capacity than it normally would. The impact of this waste of resources becomes larger the longer the war goes on. The Iraq war lasted eight years and still has effects on our economy and veterans. “The budgetary costs of providing disability compensation benefits and medical care to the veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan over the course of their lives will be from $350 - $700 Billion, depending on the length of deployment of US soldiers, the speed with which they claim disability benefits and the growth rate of benefits and health care inflation” (Bilmes). Veteran deserves nothing but the highest respect and deserves every penny they get for medical treatment, but a 6 trillion dollar war and 700 billion in benefits all for one war is costly for the …show more content…
The Iraq war was a part of the war on terrier, and many people believe invading Iraq would ensure that does not become a haven for terrorism. But according to Brown University, it had the most effect. “U.S. invasion in March 2003 There were 78 terrorist attacks in the first twelve months following the U.S. invasion; in the second twelve months, this number nearly quadrupled, to 302 attacks” ( McBride). This shows even the presence of America in Iraq cause influx in terrorism that killed 5,425 and caused 9,878 injuries. As America continued its campaign in Iraq terrorist groups used this opportunity as a powerful recruiting tool. The increase in terrorism would lead to many different terrorist networks creation such as the Tanzim Qaidat al-Jihad fi Bilad Al-Rafidayn (Al-Qaeda in Iraq or AQI) and Mujahideen Shura Council which would both later join as
The Iraq War, also known as Operation Iraqi Freedom, took place in 2003 and dragged on for almost nine years, until the withdrawal of US troops in December 2011. The invasion was justified by the US using the new National Security Strategy that was proposed by the Bush administration. One of the key features of the National Security strategy was the justification that the US could preemptively strike targets nations that it deemed a threat to the security of the US. In order to justify the invasion of Iraq, the governmental leaders in the US claimed that Saddam Hussein had ties to Al-Qaeda and other terror groups, as well as using Saddam’s use of chemical weapons as legitimization for the war. Once the war began on March 20, 2003, the original
The Iraq War—which is also known as the invasion of Iraq—began in 2003. It was waged by the US and its allies with the aim of overthrowing Saddam Hussein’s government. Then U.S. President George W. Bush presented his country’s intentions to the world on 17 March 2003; two days later, on the evening of 19 March 2003, he announced that the US is fully prepared to invade Iraq. The invasion began on 20 March and ended on 1 May 2003. The US-led coalition quickly defeated Iraqi forces and took control of all of Iraq.
The Iraq war was occurred in 2003 between Iraq and the Unites States. The United States invaded Iraq and overthrew Saddam Hussein despite not being backed by the United Nations because they claimed that Iraq had a WMD program and were linked to Al-Qaeda. However, no WMD program nor any direct links to Al-Qaeda were found. After the United States had occupied Iraq for a few months, Islamic extremist groups were founded. The United States goal of overthrowing Hussein was accomplished, but this was the incorrect time to overthrow him, as Islamic terrorist groups came in his place. The short-term effects of the Iraq war were the formation of AQI and the increased tensions between Shi’a and Sunni Muslims. The main long-term effect the Iraq War was an increase in worldwide distrust towards the United States. In conclusion, the Iraq War destabilized the Middle East by going against the UN security council and attacking Iraq, then finding neither a WMD program, nor links to Al-Qaeda, which were the reasons they invaded
In 2003, President George Walker Bush and his administration sent the United States military to war in Iraq to overthrow Saddam Hussein, Iraq’s ruler and dictator, who murdered over 600,000 innocent people, and “...used chemical weapons to remove Kurds from their villages in northern Iraq…” (Rosenberg 2). According to the Department of Defense’s website, the war removed Saddam Hussein from power, ending an era when “Iraqis had fewer rights than when its representatives signed the Human Rights Declaration in 1948” (1). American blood, money, and honor was spent in what was allegedly a personal war and perhaps a fight to gain oil and natural resources, but only history may reveal the truth. Although the Iraq War removed tyrant Saddam Hussein from power, the failures of the war dwarf the successes.
The disbanding of the Iraqi army and “debathification” or dismantling of the government in place only served to increase the casualties of American troops and Iraqi civilians as the radical Sunni insurgency expanded. This point of cause and effect, clash of two distinct political and cultural worlds, defined this war for the generation serving, at home and the future generations. The threat of increasing terrorism after the attack of September 11, 2001 was one of the driving force of invasion of Iraq. However, in one analysis the increase of global terrorism today is told to be well contributed by the conflicts that were fueled by the western presence in Iraq and the surrounding
In 2001, many aspects of life in America changed forever with the terrorist attacks of September 11. Congress declared the War on Terror, and troops deployed to Afghanistan to eliminate terrorist bases there and attempt to capture Osama bin Laden who claimed responsibility for the attacks. In 2003, forces attacked Iraq to overthrow the regime of Saddam Hussein who was viewed as a major military threat and safeguard of terrorists. In stark contrast to the emotions exhibited during the conflict in Vietnam, Americans have shown widespread support of the military during the past thirteen years of military action. This support for American troops was widespread, even if people disagreed with the war for political or other reasons.
Following the attacks in America on September 11, 1999, there was a public outcry for justice throughout the country. Even with significant public support to wage war against Iraq, there was not enough reason to persuade congress. Over the course of two years, President George W. Bush proved that there was a purpose in the war, not only seek vengeance against terrorism; but, gift a people freedom from dictatorship. Yet, there were still downsides to war including inevitable loss of American life and damaged reputation for our country. For that reason, the United States of America should not have gone to war with Iraq in 2003 due to the extensive federal funding for undesirable warfare which took away from domestic prosperity, the preventable injury to veterans as well as violence against civilians, and the country’s damaged reputation achieved due to the illegitimacy of the war.
Many Americans responded to the September 11 terrorist attacks with fear, anger, as well as a growing intolerance for immigrants, especially against people who were or appeared to be from the Middle East, a trend that continues to this day. Over 6,000 service members have been killed fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq along with thousands of innocent civilians in these two countries. The United States war on terror has created anger and resentment towards the U.S which in turn has the potential to create and recruit more terrorist members. The cost to fight the war on terror has been astonishingly high. The war on terror has cost over 3 trillion dollars and can account for many of the financial crisis that has plagued the United States for many years. According to the National Intelligence Estimate report, even though al-Qaeda has been weakened since the September 11 attacks, new radical Islamic movements have taken its place and have grown stronger and been responsible for the deaths of thousands of innocent civilians. These movements can be seen in Iraq and Syria. The war on terror in Iraq can be contributed to the rise of ISIL due to the failure of the United States in creating a stable and non-corrupt government. While Saddam Hussein and his Ba’ath Party were ruthless, he was able to keep a strong hold over his
The United States has been at war since its creation in 1776. It has battled confrontation 222 out of 239 years or, 93% of its existence. Notably, one of the most crucial wars is the War on Terror. Beginning in March of 2003, this war initially served the purpose of getting rid of the country's leader Saddam Hussein to prevent his use of suspected stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction. Hussein has the questionable refinement of being the best known Middle Eastern ruler. He governed Iraq from 1979 until his capture in 2003. President Bush presumed he was harboring many chemical weapons such as synthetic warheads, shells, or aviation bombs. While politics justified this war the real war between Iraq and the U.S. began long before what recognized.
Wars have impacted the United States greatly on both beneficial and detrimental standards. Throughout the history of the United States this idea of war has played a significant role in the emergence of this prominent country. A politician’s standing policy on the concept of war has held great impact on the political spectrum, many voters hold strong views on war. Some argue we should enact a policy of isolationism, through this we can focus more on the issues within United States instead of other nations. On the other hand many claim being in war is beneficial because we can hold impact on surrounding countries and though wars recreate revenue and jobs
The amount of money spent during the Iraq War is a number that is not easily understood. The initial cost of the Iraq War has totaled up to be somewhere around 1.7 trillion dollars as of 2013 (2). While this is a staggering number, it has only become worse. A study has shown that the expenses over the next four decades could total up to be around 6 trillion dollars not to mention the interest rate which could add another 4 trillion (2). These numbers do not even make a dent in what the U.S. is paying. In addition to the initial cost, there is also a price to be paid to the veterans that served our country. A 2011 study found U.S. medical and disability claims for veterans after a decade of war totaled $33 billion. In 2013, that number had risen to $134.7 billion (2). The War in Iraq brought devastation to their
The United States has been at war since its creation in 1776. Notably, one of the most crucial wars was the War on Terror. Beginning in March of 2003, this war initially served the purpose of getting rid of the country 's leader Saddam Hussein to prevent his use of suspected stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction. Hussein was best-known as a Middle Eastern ruler with a violent regime. He governed Iraq from 1979 until his capture in 2003when President Bush presumed he was harboring chemical weapons such as synthetic warheads, shells, or aviation bombs. While politics justified invading Iraq, the conflict between the U.S. and Iraq began long before the war. In the post-election leading up to the war, political officials such as George Bush attested repeatedly that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction and posed a danger to the U.S. and other targets. Bush sold the war to Americans by attesting these cases of threat to Americans openly with supreme certainty. The United States of America should not have invaded Iraq as it allowed the establishment of government power and democracy without evidence under prior resolutions, increased violence, and forced American citizens to inquire significant debt including the injuries and hardships sustained by U.S. soldiers.
The war against Iraq began on March 20, 2002, when the U.S lunched “Operation Iraqi Freedom”. This was after President Bush called Iraq part of an “axis of evil”, also calling the country dangerous which is threatening U.S with the world’s most destructive weapons. The major phase of the war began when U.S troops marched within 50 miles of Baghdad with heavy aerial attacks on Baghdad and other cities. After the attack on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon which was believed to be the work of Al Qaeda, U.S was concerned about the security of the Untied States which lead to the war in Iraq. Even though U.S officials felt the war in Iraq is the main priority, but many people in U.S opposes the war which brings up a lot of controversial issues.
On September 20, 2002, the Bush administration published a national security manifesto titled "The National Security Strategy of the United States of America"; sometimes called “the Bush Doctrine”, which is a justification for easy recourse to war whenever and wherever an American president chooses. The United States wanted more control over the Middle East and the oil that could be obtained there; all they needed was an excuse to go to war and in turn be able to obtain resources. After 9/11 Bush had his excuse; Al Qaeda. Weaving a trail of propaganda and fear through the media with false information, Bush ordered an invasion of Iraq in pursuit of his form of hegemonic internationalism. The reasons broadcasted by the White House claimed that Saddam Hussein (President of Iraq in 2002) was building weapons of mass destruction and promoting/supporting terrorism which made him a grave threat to the western world. The real reason behind invading Iraq was to secure American access to vital resources, being oil. Iraq had been attacking Iran who was dangerously close to Saudi Arabia which is a huge supplier of oil to the United States. Once the United States had control of Iraq they installed a sympathetic “democratic” government which had eliminated the Iraqi threat to Saudi oil. Through the pursuit of hegemonic internationalism the United States had achieved one of its national interests, obtaining vital resources, but at a huge cost. Over 1 million
raq is the country most impacted by terrorism for every year since 2004. The catalyst for the rise in terrorism in Iraq had been the US-led invasion in 2003. From 1998 to 2002 there were 65 deaths from terrorism in Iraq. With the commencement of the Iraq war in 2004 there were nearly five times as many deaths than in the previous five years. There have been two distinct periods where terrorism has jumped in Iraq. The first occurred in 2007 with the US troop surge when 6,100 deaths were reported, an increase of 39 per cent from the previous year. Deaths then fell by 56 per cent in the following year to be below the levels in 2006. The second increase began in 2013 and has continued through to 2015 fuelled by increasing sectarian violence and