War crucial to credibility and security
By 2002, Saddam Hussein had engaged in over 11 years of defiance of 16 United
Nations Security Council resolutions, and displayed overwhelming evidence of
threats posed by weapons, intent, and terrorist ties as outlined previously.
By the fall of that year, U.S. President George W. Bush was urging the United
Nations Security Council to force Iraq to comply with its resolutions, by
force if necessary. Shortly after, he secured authorization from Congress to use military force to disarm Iraq if the defiance continued. It did. Only after the buildup of U.S. troops and warships in the Persian Gulf did Saddam agree to allow weapons inspectors to return, however, their ability to continue the inspection process was regularly impeded by the Iraqi regime. In November, the UN Security Council unanimously passed Resolution 1441 which stated that Iraq must disarm immediately and provide written proof of the destruction of all weapons, or "serious consequences" will occur - meaning war. Iraq had 30 days to comply.
Read Resolution 1441(PDF). It was also at this time that the President made his strongest case for the threat of weapons in Iraq.
At the 30 day deadline, the Iraqi regime submitted an incomplete misleading
report which did not account for large stockpiles of weapons, and was obviously an attempt to allude the U.S. and the UN Security Council once again. Iraq was declared in "material breach" of its obligations. Read: SECURITY COUNCIL HOLDS IRAQ IN 'MATERIAL BREACH' OF DISARMAMENT OBLIGATIONS: Resolution (1441)
Without decisive action against the Iraqi regime, the U.S. and the United Nations risked losing all credibility and ability to deter future threats by being seen as weak and unwilling to commit to difficult military action. It wasn't just about weapons as the current critics of the President and Republican administration want you to think. There were 17 UN resolution
violations over 11 years - clear links to terrorist activities - support of terrorists and training camps - unprovoked attacks on neighboring countries - continuous violations of the established no-fly zones by firing on coalition aircraft. All of these facts have been outlined in detail above. And we now know, as a result of the fall of Saddam, the Oil-For-Food program set up to
help the Iraqi civilian population was actually being defrauded and money diverted to illegal activities including weapons purchase and the support of terrorism.
To NOT remove the Saddam Hussein regime would have been irresponsible, negligent, threatening to the prospect of future peace in the region, and global terrorism would continue to be funded.
President Bush Announcing Invasion of Iraq
On March 17th, 2003 President Bush in an address to the nation gave Saddam
Hussein 48 hours to leave Iraq. In a direct address to the Iraqi people, the
President said "We will tear down the apparatus of terror and we will help you to build a new Iraq that is prosperous and free." and "The tyrant
will soon be gone. The day of your liberation is near." Contrary to critics claim of "unilateral" action,
and "going it alone", a coalition of around 30 countries was assembled to
participate in the liberation of Iraq if military action was required. Of
course Saddam Hussein refused to depart, and on March 20th 2003, the war
began. With overwhelming military power, the U.S. and coalition forces
crushed the Iraqi defenses. By April 9th, Baghdad was in U.S. control, while
Al-Basrah was in the hands of the British. By May 1st, major combat operations were completed. This is said to be one of the swiftest military
victories in U.S. history.
In the wake of this victory however, a terrorist guerrilla insurgency comprised of the deposed Iraqi regime,
and fighters including Al-Qaeda from outside countries of Iran, Syria and others have attempted to derail the formation of a free,
democratic, terror free government. Deadly roadside and car bombs, executions, and kidnappings happen daily,
especially in the larger cities. Approximately 5 years after the initial invasion, the U.S. is maintaining
a military force of over 140,000 troops in Iraq. Early 2007 saw an additional 20,000 + troops deployed to
Iraq, mainly to the Baghdad region (commonly referred to as the "Surge"). The sudden increase in troops created
some vital stability to the region, and although the peace is fragile, any objective observer would agree
that the goal of a stable, self-reliant prosperous ally in the region is within sight.
As of late 2008, the U.S. military remains in Iraq to prevent this insurgency from stopping the new Iraqi
government and military from controlling the country. Over 4200 U.S. military personnel have been killed
and thousands more wounded.
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