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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.US Arm-Twisting
This section looks at the tremendous pressure the US brought 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.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.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.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. Also see GPF page on Iraq's post-war government.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.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.Opposition to the War and Occupation in Iraq
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.General Articles
This section includes articles on a variety of topic relating to Iraq ,including policy considerations, background issues, and more.
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