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US Goes to War in Iraq: A Decade of Conflict and Controversy

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, including the events leading up to the war, the subsequent occupation, and the challenges faced by American forces. It also explores the debate regarding the division of Iraq into separate nations and the changing policies under different US administrations.

richardpatterson
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US Goes to War in Iraq: A Decade of Conflict and Controversy

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  1. US Goes To War In Iraq

  2. September 11, 2001 • Al-Qaeda – based in Afghanistan – stages terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center and Pentagon • Over 3,000 killed • President George W. Bush demand the Taliban hand over Osama bin Laden • They refuse • October 2001: America goes to war in Afghanistan

  3. Bush Doctrine • The United States will attack first against any nation that poses a threat to the security of the United States or its allies

  4. Leading Up To War • United States identifies Iraq as a threat • Broke cease fire agreement 17 times • Repeatedly kicked weapons inspectors out of Iraq • Police once held inspectors in parking lot for 2 days at gunpoint • US points to evidence that Saddam is developing Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD’s) • Could be used against Israel or sold to terrorists • President Bush declares Saddam Hussein a threat to the safety of the United States • Issues Feb. 2003 as deadline for Saddam to step down from power • Deadline ignored

  5. War in Iraq • March 2003: U.S. invades Iraq • 78,000 troops • Saddam’s government quickly collapses • US confident that end of war is near • Without clear authority- violence breaks out • Looting • Ethnic violence • Not enough US troops to control the situation • Police were disbanded

  6. Resistance • 1st resistance: Political • Former Iraqi Army soldiers trying to re-gain control • 2nd resistance: religious • Al-Qaeda comes to Iraq • Iran helps Shia insurgence with weapons • Method: Guerilla Warfare • Ambush • I.E.D.’s

  7. American Forces • 168,000 by 2007 • Attempting to provide stability in order to establish a Democratic government • Training a national army/ police force • Patrols through cities • Leading raids on suspected insurgents

  8. Iraqi Government? • Should Iraq be divided up into 3 separate nations? • Problem: • North (Kurds): Oil. Water resources • Sunni (North): No water or oil resources • Shia (South): Oil/ water resources. Connection to Iran • Dec. 2005: Parliamentary elections successfully held • Democracy is established

  9. President Obama Changes Policy • Current 142,000 troops will be reduced to 25-30,000 by end of 2010. • Iraqi Army / police will take on more responsibility • US troops will be based outside of cities • For support of Iraqi troops • US troops will leave Iraq by end of 2011

  10. Iraq So Far • Saddam Hussein captured • Tried and executed • 4,287 US troops killed • Over 30,000 US troops wounded • Over 60,000 Iraqi’s killed • $657 Billion so far

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