Clearing up the Misconceptions Iraq War: A Timeline Clearing up the Misconceptions

1991 The First Gulf War The Gulf is a region near the Persian Gulf in SW Asia. The U.S. declared war on Iraq in 1991, its first Gulf War. A “coalition” of other countries joined the U.S.

Why did we declare war against Iraq? The leader of Iraq, Saddam Hussein, had invaded Kuwait. . . . Hussein said Kuwait was tapping into Iraqi oil. He also claimed Kuwait was originally part of Iraq. Kuwait was oil rich and Iraq was still paying for a war it had with Iran.

Why did we declare war against Iraq? Iraq had the world’s sixth largest military. Iraq also had the world’s fifth largest tank army. Hussein sent tanks into Kuwait to annex it. If Kuwait fell to Iraq, Hussein would control the oil fields of both Iraq and Kuwait.

Who won the first Gulf War? The U.S. organized a “Coalition” of nations to stop Hussein’s efforts. Even Arab nations joined these Coalition forces. Saudi Arabia permitted the U.S. to use its bases. In less than two months, Iraq surrendered.

Meanwhile, someone was watching. . . A Saudi Arabian prince, named Osama bin Laden, complained to Saudi leaders about the U.S. He said U.S. military had “defiled” their country. Bin Laden started to focus on the U.S. and their allies. He funded two terrorist activities against U.S. embassies in Africa in 1998.

Bin Laden begins his plans . . . Bin Laden used his terrorist organization, Al Qaeda, to carry out various attacks. When he was expelled from Saudi Arabia, he returned to Afghanistan. Bin Laden began training more terrorists in Afghanistan. Bin Laden’s grand plan was fulfilled on September 11, 2001.

Did Hussein have a part in 9-11? NO! These two men didn’t even like each other. Sadam Hussein Osama bin Laden

What is the goal of terrorists? The goal is to terrorize people—to make them fearful of the future. Osama bin Laden had achieved his goal. Now Americans feared, “Could this happen to us again?” That fear set the stage for how our leaders made decisions. . . .

A response to 9-11 . . . In September 2001, President Bush declared a “War on Terrorism.” He began by declaring war against Afghanistan. He also vowed to fight against terrorists and those who harbor them. But how do you know who the terrorists are? How do you fight them?

President Bush laid out a plan . . . “We will find and capture those responsible for the 9-ll attacks.” “We will bring the terrorists to justice.” “We will refuse to do business with countries who assist terrorists.” “We will strengthen security at all airports.”

Protecting America became foremost President Bush created a new Cabinet position. Gov. Tom Ridge became the first Secretary of Homeland Security. Airports installed new screening equipment. On Oct. 26, 2001, the Patriot Act was passed, giving government the right to “listen in.”

Meanwhile, back in Iraq . . . Iraq had broken the treaty signed in 1991. U.N. inspectors were supposed to be allowed to search for weapons. But Iraq, under Saddam Hussein, refused to let inspectors go wherever they wished. People started getting suspicious about Iraq . . .

President Bush’s War on Terror In January of 2002, Pres. Bush vowed to shut down terrorist camps, disrupt terrorist plans, and bring terrorists to justice. He also vowed to prevent terrorists and those who seek WMD from threatening the United States. Pres. Bush got specific: He called Iraq, Iran, and North Korea an “Axis of Evil.” He pointed out Iraq had used chemical weapons in the past. Bush suggested Iraq sent away U.N. inspectors because Iraq had something to hide. . . .

The Bush Doctrine In June of 2002, Bush addressed the West Point Military Academy and introduced a new strategy: The Pre-emptive Strike Doctrine. What does that mean? Bush said that, in some instances, the U.S. should strike first to prevent a potential threat from another nation.

Bush addresses the United Nations In September of 2002, Pres. Bush addressed the United Nations (UN). Bush challenged the U.N. to enforce its own resolutions against Iraq. Bush said if the U.N. did not force Iraq to obey the U.N. resolutions, the U.S. would act on its own against Iraq.

Congress supports the President A U.S. Senator from Arkansas read the results of their vote. On Oct. 11, 2002, the U.S. Senate voted 77-23 to authorize Pres. Bush to attack Iraq if it did not give up WMD as required by the U.N. resolutions. Hours earlier the House voted 296-133 on the same measure.

The United Nations acts . . . On Nov. 8, 2002, the U.N. Security Council unanimously approved a new resolution, #1441. This resolution called for new arms inspections. The U.N. warned that if Iraq violated this new resolution, it would face “serious consequences.”

Conflicting reports . . . On Nov. 18, 2002, U.N. inspectors returned to Iraq for the first time in four years. A month later, Iraq filed a 12,000 page report , claiming that it had no banned weapons. By January, however, U.N. inspectors reported they found 11 empty warheads that were not cited by Iraq.

The tension mounts . . . In January of 2003, Pres. Bush gave his annual State of the Union message to Congress. He made his case against Iraq, insisting that Iraq had not complied with U.N. resolution #1441. Bush said if the U.N. did not force Iraq to comply, then the U.S. would.

Colin Powell addresses the U.N. On Feb. 5, 2003, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell addressed the United Nations. Powell said the U.S. had evidence that Iraq was hiding weapons of mass destruction (WMD). He urged the U.N. to take action against Iraq.

Powell’s message gets mixed results The U.N. admitted Iraq had not been compliant, but it sought a peaceful solution. The U.N. ordered Iraq to destroy two missiles that could have reached Israel. The U.S., Britain, and Spain proposed a resolution that called for force against Iraq. France, Germany, and Russia offered a counter resolution, saying force should be a last resort.

The U.S. declares war In a 15 person U.N. Security Council, only 4 members were willing to vote to use force against Iraq. On March 17, 2003, Pres. Bush gave Saddam Hussein an ultimatum: Leave Iraq in 48 hours or face a U.S. attack. Two days later, Pres. Bush declared war on Iraq. The war was called, “Operation Iraqi Freedom.”

In conclusion . . . On Oct. 6, 2004, a CIA report concluded there were no WMD in Iraq. The report also concluded Saddam Hussein was not motivated by a desire to strike the U.S.; rather, he wanted to make Iran think he had WMD. Sec. of Defense Donald Rumsfeld also concluded Saddam Hussein had no Al Qaeda connection.