How to Know the Rationale Behind the Iraq War

The war in Iraq has been a major source of tension for the Bush administration, mostly because the American people do not understand exactly why this war is being fought. The rationale for the war in Iraq has shifted so many times that many question why troops are giving up their lives. In the aftermath of September 11, America was left shaken and looking for answers. In the months leading up to the war, and since the war has begun, there have been several different reasons for the war in Iraq. Read on to learn how to know the rationale behind the Iraq wire.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and planned to use them to attack America. The main reason for war with Iraq was that Iraq had and was actively seeking to develop WMDs. The American people and Congress believed this rationale and with one vote we were off to war. Later, the Iraq study group determined that Iraq did not have WMDs and had in fact had complied with their agreement to give them up.
2. Know that the alleged connection between Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden was also given as one of the many reasons to rush to war with Iraq. No evidence has ever been produced to support this claim, in fact evidence surfaced to indicate that Hussein in no way wanted to work with bin Laden or al Qaeda or supply them with weapons of mass destruction.
3. Know the September 11 factor. Initially the Bush administration attempted to link Saddam Hussein to al Qaeda as a de facto way to attack Iraq. Despite the fact that no ties were ever proven to exist between Hussein and al Qaeda, September 11 was often used to scare the American people and the U.S. Congress into supporting the war in Iraq.
4. Understand the rationale of combatting terror. Immediately after the 9/11 attacks Congress passed an authorization to use military force against terrorists, which ultimately gives the President authority to attack suspected terrorists. Congress again gave the President power to use force to coerce Iraq into giving up WMDs that inspectors would later find to be non-existent.
5. Be aware that some say another reason for the war with Iraq is the need to establish democracy. Just before the war in Iraq began, President Bush began speaking on the importance of instilling democracy in the Middle East. Assuming that the Iraq people wanted a democratically elected government was the final rationale given for the war in Iraq. Although Iraq did hold democratic elections, it has yet to be seen if they can sustain it without the assistance of American troops.

Tips & Warnings

• One known terrorist attack has been prevented since September 11.
• Although the rationale is sketchy at best, the war has seen recent success.
• Success has been defined by a decrease in violence.
• There has been little if any political progress in Iraq.