What are
the Reasons for the War on Iraq ?
Governments,
like individuals, usually do things for more than one reason -- but
always present the most noble one to the public.
In the case of the US war in Iraq a variety of possible reasons
are easily identified.
- Terrorism –
There is no evidence that Iraq had any involvement whatsoever in the
attacks of 9/11.
- Military Threat
– None of the neighboring countries considered Iraq after the
first Gulf War and 12 years of sanctions to be any threat.
How then could Iraq be any threat to the United States?
- Weapons of Mass
Destruction – There was an active aggressive UN inspection process
in place before the war that was terminated by the US.
That Iraq was effectively disarmed in this regards was
further shown by the absence of any such weapons in their defense
against the invasion.
- Regime Change
– The regime of Saddam Hussein who was originally a US client has
now ended. Will we now
see a popular independent Iraqi government, or a new client regime
under the control of the US?
- Oil – The huge
Iraqi oil reserves are now under the control of the US, and favored
corporations have contracts to repair and manage them.
- Domestic
Politics – The war has definitely diverted attention from economic
and social problems at home.
The cry of patriotism has served to silence many voices of
opposition.
- International
Relations – The Bush administration has pursued unilateral
policies ever since taking office.
The launching of this war after failure to get UN approval
for it is just the latest and most extreme example.
This approach may serve to intimidate others, but will
further isolate the US and induce other nations to develop
countervailing strategies.
- Maintaining
"Credibility" – The Bush administration created so much
scare about the threats from Iraq and the need to take decisive
action that they left themselves no way out.
Which do you
think are the most important reasons? Try ranking them from 1 to
10.
4/20/03