2003 invasion of Iraq
Background
The 2003 invasion of Iraq was a military campaign led by the United States, United Kingdom and their allies against the Ba'athist Iraq led by Saddam Hussein. The invasion marked the start of the Iraq War, a conflict that would last for nearly a decade.
Prelude to the invasion
In the aftermath of the September 11 attacks in 2001, the U.S. administration under President George W. Bush began to focus on Iraq as a potential threat to global security. The administration argued that Iraq was in violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 687, which required the country to disarm its weapons of mass destruction and cease development of such weapons. The U.S. also accused Iraq of supporting terrorist groups, including al-Qaeda, which was responsible for the 9/11 attacks.
Planning and preparation
The planning for the invasion began in earnest in 2002. The U.S. and its allies, particularly the U.K., sought to build a coalition of nations willing to support military action against Iraq. Despite widespread international opposition, the U.S. and U.K. were able to assemble a coalition that included Australia, Poland, and several other countries.
The military strategy for the invasion was based on the doctrine of "shock and awe", a concept developed by the U.S. military that aimed to rapidly destroy the enemy's will to fight through overwhelming displays of force.
Invasion
The invasion began on March 20, 2003, with a "decapitation strike" aimed at killing Saddam Hussein. Despite the failure of this initial strike, the coalition forces quickly advanced into Iraq, with U.S. and British forces capturing the southern city of Basra by April 7 and U.S. forces taking control of the capital, Baghdad, on April 9.
Aftermath
The invasion led to the overthrow of Saddam Hussein's regime, but it also resulted in a prolonged period of instability and violence in Iraq. The U.S. and its allies faced significant challenges in their efforts to establish a stable, democratic government in Iraq, and the country became a battleground for a violent insurgency that lasted for several years.
Impact
The 2003 invasion of Iraq had significant implications for international relations and the global balance of power. It strained relations between the U.S. and its traditional allies, particularly in Europe, and it contributed to a shift in the global perception of the U.S. as a unilateral actor in international affairs.
Criticism and controversy
The invasion was controversial from the outset, with critics arguing that it was based on flawed intelligence and that it was conducted without a clear plan for the post-invasion period. The failure to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, which had been a key justification for the invasion, further fueled criticism of the U.S. and its allies.
Legacy
The legacy of the 2003 invasion of Iraq is complex and continues to evolve. While the invasion led to the end of Saddam Hussein's brutal regime, it also unleashed a period of violence and instability in Iraq that continues to this day.