War in Iraq

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the reasons behind the war in Iraq and how subsequent developments such as the failure of the U.S. forces to find any weapons of mass destruction (WMD), a determined Iraqi insurgency against the U.S. occupation and the Abu Gharib scandal have further put grave doubts on the wisdom and legitimacy of the U.S. action. It argues that the U.S. invasion of Iraq violates the international law and is a war of aggression and also examines the justifications given by the U.S. administration for the war.

Outline:
Background of the War
The United States' Arguments about the Legality of the Iraq War and their Rebuttal
The United Nations' View on the Iraq Invasion
Status of the International Criminal Court
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The 1991 Gulf War ended in a cease-fire as per the UN Resolution # 686, which required Iraq to accept and abide by all previous Security Council resolutions - including Resolution # 678. The cease-fire resolution also authorized UN inspection teams to enter Iraq and ensure that its regime complied with UN arms limitation treaties such as the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). When UN inspectors discovered that Saddam Hussein was in not complying with such treaties, the United Nations passed another resolution (No. 687) imposing economic sanctions that were not to be lifted until Iraq was once again in substantial compliance with all UN arms conventions, including the NPT. (Ibid.) "

Sample of Sources Used:

• "Chronology: The Evolution of the Bush Doctrine." Frontline: The War Behind Closed Doors. 2003. April 20, 2006. <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/iraq/etc/cron.html>
• Dorf, Michael. "Is the War on Iraq Lawful? Find Law." March 19, 2003. April 20, 2006.<http://writ.news.findlaw.com/dorf/20030319.html>
• "Explanation of Vote by Ambassador John D. Negroponte." United States Mission to the United Nations PRESS RELEASE # 187 (02). November 8, 2002. April 20, 2006. <http://www.un.int/usa/02_187.htm>
• Foster, Charles. "International Law: Another Casualty of the Iraq War?" Contemporary Review August 2003: 76+.
• Grey, Barry. "Blix report to the UN: diplomatic charade masks US imperialist war aims." World Socialist Web site. January 29, 2003. <http://www.wsws.org/articles/2003/jan2003/blix-j29.shtml>

More papers on War in Iraq:

• Research Paper # 97140 : "War in Iraq War on Terror"
• Analytical Essay # 90223 : "The War in Iraq"
• Analytical Essay # 36759 : "War In Iraq"
• Analytical Essay # 139215 : "The War in Iraq: Costs and Consequences"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: