2003 Iraq Invasion

2003 Iraq Invasion

Homeland Security Fall 2017

The invasion of Iraq began on March 19, 2003. It began because it was believed that Saddam Hussein was in possession of Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological weapons, although later this was found to be found untrue. But that was the premise on which we invaded. We also believed that there was a connection between Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden.

        We began the invasion with the “shock and awe” tactic, in which we attacked quickly and swiftly at night, beginning with aerial bombings and tomahawk missile strikes. These were intended to destroy Iraq’s military infrastructure before they had time to react. We then began with the ground invasion, taking out their forces with minimal casualties of our own. It only took us around four weeks to completely take over the country. As with the Afghanistan war that began in 2001, this was supposed to be a quick and swift victory that would have U.S. troops in and out of the country in the shortest amount of time possible. Unfortunately, that is not how things turned out. Instead, we have been in Iraq playing the nation building role for over a decade, with little to show for it. We captured and killed Saddam Hussein via trial, and yet the country’s governmental structure is still weak and fragile. It was almost completely taken over by ISIS if it wasn’t for the United States getting involved again and helping defend Iraq’s territory. The war has ended up being one of the most expensive wars for the country, and while it has least amount of American lives lost, any life lost is still something to mourn.

        While the vote for authorizing military use to fight terrorism to the President by Congress was done unanimously, except for one democrat, the vote to declare war with Iraq was a bit more divided and less bipartisan. While Republicans are typically seen as the ones always calling for war, there were seven who voted against it; John Hostettler (R) IN 8th, Jim Leach (R) IA 1st) Amo Houghton (R) NY 31st, John Duncan (R) TN 2nd, Ron Paul (R) TX 24th, Constance Morella (R) MD 8th, Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R) RI. By voting against the party line, many were seen as un-American and subject to rebuke from the parties and constituents. When asked for their reasoning, none of them said they believed that Iraq had WMDs in their possession. They felt that this was a facade to cover the real intentions of invading Iraq. They were also afraid of the commitment and impact the conflict would have on our people. Lincoln Chaffe (R) was quoted saying, “To me, it was about growing up in the Vietnam era and not wanting to go through that again,” said Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee, who, in 2002, was the only GOP senator to vote against invading Iraq. “I remember the difficulty the soldiers had coming back here after Vietnam. They had the same issues: PTSD, re-immersion, alcoholism. You have to be prepared to take all that on.” All this we now see has been a real issue for many of the troops that come home. When asked, none of them say that they regret their stance. Unfortunately, it seems that they were right in their views.

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