10 Econ Iraq War

Iraq War The Iraq War, also known as Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Telic, or the occupation of Iraq, is an ongoing conflict which began on March 20, 2003 with the United States-led invasion of Iraq by a multinational coalition composed of U.S. and UK troops supported by smaller contingents from Australia, Denmark, Poland, and other nations. The main reason to fund the Iraq War was the allegations described by George W. Bush that Iraq was in command of weapons of mass destruction. Other reasons for the invasion stated by officials included concerns over Iraq's financial support for the families of Palestinian suicide bombers, Iraqi government human rights abuses, and spreading democracy. Lastly, oil reserves were one of the causes for the invasion of Iraq but were earlier denied by officials. However, after about five years of continuation, the War on Iraq has been questioned internationally and President Bush’s approval ratings have dropped. Not only has the Iraq War been lengthy, it’s been costly also. The United States pours over 800 billion dollars into the Iraq war. The war also lead to recent signs on recession for the United States and its sliding value on the US dollar. The US economy has to suffer from the Iraq War

Timeline 2001: Bush's Cabinet agreed to use military intervention in Iraq, because it was considered a destabilizing influence to the flow of oil to international markets from the Middle East. 2002: the CIA sent former Ambassador Joseph Wilson to investigate dubious claims about Iraq's attempted purchase of yellowcake uranium from Niger. Wilson returned and informed the CIA that reports of yellowcake sales to Iraq were "unequivocally wrong." 2002: George Tenet briefed Bush that Saddam Hussein did not have weapons of mass destruction. 2002: A few days before the U.S. Senate voted on the Joint Resolution to Authorize the Use of United States Armed Forces against Iraq, about 75 senators were told in closed session that Saddam Hussein had the means of attacking the eastern seaboard of the U.S. 2003: French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin declared "we believe that military intervention would be the worst solution." Meanwhile anti-war groups across the world organized public protests. February 15, 2003: Largest international demonstration against the invasion of Iraq. March 20, 2003: The invasion on Iraq begins. April 9, 2003: Bagdad Falls. April 21, 2003: CPA (Coalition Provisional Authority) a type of transitional government was created for Iraq. May 1, 2003: Bush effectively declared victory due to the defeat of Iraq's conventional forces. However, Saddam Hussein remained at large and significant pockets of resistance remained. July 2, 2003: President Bush declared that American troops would remain in Iraq in spite of the attacks, challenging the insurgents with "My answer is, bring 'em on," a widely criticized line which Bush later expressed misgivings about. December 13, 2003: Saddam Hussein was captured. March 31, 2004: Iraqi insurgents in Fallujah ambushed a Blackwater USA convoy. November 2004: US and Iraq engaged in the bloodiest battle of the war so far: the Second Battle of Fallujah.

November 7, 2006: United States midterm elections removed the Republican Party from control of both chambers of the United States Congress. December 30, 2006: Saddam Hussein was hanged after found guilty of crimes against humanity. 2007: Bush calls for troop surges and more finance for the continuation of Iraq War.