A rchive Date
[ 18-01-2004 ]
Category
[ International Relations ]
sub-Categoy
[ Iraq ]

http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/issues/irqindx.htm

Iraq Crisis

The United States invaded Iraq in alliance with Britain on March 20, 2003, gaining a quick military victory and ousting the government of

Saddam Hussein

. Though the US-UK claimed they acted in accordance with international law, an overwhelming majority of governments and world public opinion opposed thought otherwise.

Since then, the US-UK occupation has encountered increasing armed resistance in Iraq and support for the war and occupation has steadily declined in the invading countries. US-UK claims about Iraqi weapons threats and terror links have proven false and the cost of the operation have risen steadily. This section looks at many aspects of the crisis, including the thirteen years of sanctions and other background of the war, the humanitarian situation, the importance of Iraq's huge oil resources, and disputes over a post-war government and reconstruction plan.

Sanctions Against Iraq

Post-War Iraq

This section considers a wide range of developments in post-war Iraq, including Iraq's reconstruction, Washington's military occupation rule, and an emerging UN role in post-war Iraq. The section also looks at the response of ordinary Iraqis and considers their assertion of democratic rights in the turbulent post-war setting.

US War Against Iraq

After months of threats and a long military buildup, the United States attacked Iraq on March 20, 2003. Washington cut short UN arms inspections, acting with its military ally, Britain, after a war-sanctioning resolution had failed by a wide margin to gain support in the UN Security Council. This section looks at the military operations and related developments. See our section on the

US Road to War

Occupation and Rule in Iraq

The armed forces of the US and the UK, having defeated and overthrown the Saddam Hussein government, began their occupation rule over Iraq in April, 2003. The occupation authorities at first said they would rapidly establish a “transitional authority” that would lead towards Iraqi representative government. However, a broad and vigorous opposition to the occupation quickly emerged, while looting, lawlessness and general insecurity plagued the country. In early May, the occupiers announced that they were postponing Iraqi self-rule indefinitely, probably for many months or even years. UN Security Council Resolution 1483, gives the occupation authorities considerable powers over the country and assigns the UN only a limited role in a transition to democratic government. As Washington moved to consolidate its hold on the country, however, neither the top US officials nor their Iraqi appointees and political cronies appeared to have a viable plan to achieve stable rule, much less the long-promised prosperous and democratic Iraq.

Humanitarian Crisis

The US-UK war has created a humanitarian crisis for many of Iraq's 23 million people. More than twelve years of sanctions, following on the destruction of the first Gulf War (1991), have left Iraqis especially vulnerable - with inadequate supplies of food, clean water and medicines. The US-UK war, with its heavy bombing and warfare against major cities, has left death and destruction and deprived millions of Iraqis of the basic necessities of life.

International Law Aspects of the War and Occupation

This section examines the legality of the 2003 attack on Iraq as well as the legality of the conduct of the war and the occupation. Shortly before the outbreak of hostilities, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan stated that use of force without Security Council endorsement would "not be in conformity with the Charter" and many legal experts describe the US-UK attack as an act of aggression. The section also looks at violations on the Iraqi side and it posts substantial materials on violations by the US-UK of their legal responsibilities as Occupying Powers.

Consequences of the War on Iraq

This sections looks at the war's consequences and costs. The US-UK military action aggravates the humanitarian crisis and it also has major economic, political, legal, military and strategic repercussions. Pre-war speculation (often exaggerated) here yields to post-war realities. Though Saddam Hussein did not use weapons of mass destruction nor set fire to Iraq's oil fields nor attack Israel with rockets, and though the conflict was relatively short, the war has had many serious results ranging from death and destruction in Iraq to regional instability to a weakened world economy.

Oil in Iraq

Iraq has the world’s second largest proven oil reserves. Oil industry observers predict a gold-rush of profits for the Anglo-American oil giants in the post Saddam setting. This section considers how oil has driven the US-UK plan for war, how it shapes the occupation, and how it has affected the modern history of Iraq.

Justifications for War: WMDs and Other Issues

The US and UK government fabricated information to justify their military strike on Iraq. US congressional and UK parliamentary investigations look into the false information circulated by the Bush and Blair governments, especially concerning weapons of mass destruction. This section covers the controversies and changing reasons put forward in Washington and London to justify the war.

US Arm-Twisting

This section looks at the tremendous pressure the US brings to bear on UN Security Council members to gain their votes on Iraq resolutions. Washington's arm-twisting succeeded in gaining a unanimous vote for Resolution 1441 (November 2002) but eventually failed to gain a second resolution (March 2003). The US used both carrot and stick, with economic and military assistance deals as well as prospects for oil and trade in post-war Iraq. Arm-twisting continues after the war as the Council considers Iraq's future.

Sanctions Against Iraq

The UN Security Council imposed comprehensive economic sanctions against Iraq on August 6, 1990. Widely criticized because of the harsh sanctions' impact, the US and the UK staunchly opposed lifting. Soon after the second Gulf War, Washington pushed the Security Council to lift the sanctions, a step that gave the US occupation authority control over Iraq's oil. This section covers a wide range of sanction issues, including the humanitarian impact, the Oil-for-Food Programme and the debate that took place about the sanctions' termination.

Weapons Inspection Program

This section reviews the UN program to eliminate Iraq's nuclear, chemical and biological weapons arsenals and weapons-building programs, including rocket delivery systems, a program cut short by the US-UK war. The section also includes various assessments of Iraq's prohibited weapons capability. Inspectors may return to post-war Iraq to verify that the country is free of these weapons, as a precondition of the lifting of sanctions.

Historical Background

This section looks back at events and interests that shaped the modern history of Iraq. From UK-French oil quarrels at the Versailles Conference (1919) through US firms selling biological and chemical items to Saddam (late 1980s) -- this section provides an essential background to the current conflict.

Saddam's Regime and What Might Follow

Saddam Hussein's dictatorship in Iraq lasted more than two decades. This section looks at his repugnant regime, the opposition movements, and pre-war scenarios/proposals for a post-Saddam Iraq. See also

Post-War Iraq

for more on a new Iraq government.

No-Fly Zones

From 1991 to the war in 2003, US-UK military aircraft controlled the skies over large areas of northern and southern Iraq, excluding Iraqi aircraft from these zones. The air patrols, unauthorized by the UN, regularly bombed ground targets and inflicted casualties, especially after 1998. The no-fly story sheds light on the twelve years of low-level conflict that preceded the 2003 war.

Movement Against War and Occupation

Since September 2002, millions of people around the world have opposed the US-UK war on Iraq and taken part in protests. Universities, trade unions, faith groups, NGOs and peace groups have mobilized against war and occupation in the biggest anti-war movement in history. The section covers this vigorous international movement and the global citizen solidarity that it reflects and builds.

Media and the Iraq Crisis

This section looks at mass media coverage of the Iraq crisis. It looks especially at how the big US-based media companies adopt an overwhelmingly pro-Washington slant.