the Second Persian Gulf War

a. also known as the Occupation of Iraq

Operation Iraqi Freedom

b. the governments of the U.S., U.K, and Spain claimed that

Iraq's alleged possession of weapons of mass destruction (WMD)

posed an imminent threat to their security and that of their coalition allies

c. UN weapons inspectors found no evidence of WMD

giving support to earlier criticism of poor intelligence on the subject

d. After the invasion, the U.S.-led Iraq Survey Group concluded that Iraq

had ended its WMD programs in 1991

Profile
had no active programs at the time of the invasion
intended to resume production if the Iraq sanctions were lifted

e. Other reasons for the invasion stated by U.S. officials included

Iraq's financial support for the families of Palestinian suicide bombers

Iraqi government human rights abuses
an effort to spread democracy in the country and region
Iraq's oil reserves were a factor in the decision to invade
Some officials said
but other officials denied this

Saddam Hussein's harboring and supporting Al-Qaeda

f.
but no evidence of any collaborative relationship was ever found

1. end the Hussein regime

2. eliminate weapons of mass destruction
Iraq War 3. eliminate Islamist militants
4. obtain intelligence on militant networks
military objectives
5. distribute humanitarian aid
of the invasion
6. secure Iraq’
s petroleum infrastructure
a representative but compliant government
7. assist in creating
as a model for other Middle East nations

the United States of America

Between
the Republic of Iraq
official
name Agreement the Withdrawal of United States Forces from Iraq
On the Organization of Their Activities
U.S.-Iraq Status of during Their Temporary Presence in Iraq
Forces Agreement
U.S. combat forces will withdraw from Iraqi cities by June 30, 2009
It establishes that
all U.S. forces will be completely out of Iraq by December 31, 2011

Legality of the invasion

Inadequate troop levels
Insufficient post-invasion plans
Human casualties
Financial costs with approximately $612 billion spent as of 4/09
Criticisms Adverse effect on US-led global "war on terror"
Endangerment and ethnic cleansing of religious and ethnic minorities
Damage to US' traditional alliances and influence
Disruption of Iraqi oil production and related energy security concerns

the price of oil has quadrupled since 2002

Iraq War.mmap - 03/06/2009 - Carlos Mondragón