Download Operation Iraqi Freedom

Operation Iraqi Freedom
After an ultimatum was issued by President Bush warning Iraq's Saddam Hussein to disclose the location
of chemical weapons was not heeded, Operation Iraqi Freedom was launched to remove the totalitarian
leader of Iraq, liberate the people of Iraq, and form a pro-U.S. democracy in a typically unstable region.
After the Sept. 11th attacks on the U.S., Iraq’s failure to
cooperate with United Nations’ weapon inspectors presented
an increasing security threat to the world. In a post-9/11
world in which Bush proclaimed, “Either you are with us or
against us,” possible security threats could not be taken
lightly. As a result, Bush mobilized forces that annihilated
Hussein's air and land military capabilities in a 41-day war
that was televised virtually from start to finish.
Conflict seemed inevitable after a series of U.N. inspections
were denied access to some factory locations. According to
the peace agreement arranged after a previous Iraq war,
United Nations had the right to inspect facilities suspected of
producing or housing weapons of mass destruction. For 12 years and 17 United Nations Security Council
resolutions, the world gave Saddam Hussein opportunities to prove his innocence. He was being held to
a simple standard: live up to your agreement at the end of the 1991 Persian Gulf War; disarm and prove
you have done so. Repeatedly, Saddam Hussein failed to fully disclose the nature of his weapons and
intent to United Nations inspectors. The United States pushed for war knowing Saddam Hussein’s record:
he used chemical weapons against Iran and his own citizens; he invaded Iran and Kuwait; he launched
ballistic missiles at Iran, Israel, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain; and his troops repeatedly fired on American
aircraft patrolling Iraqi airspace.
Recognizing the threat, President Bush went to the United Nations, which gave Iraq still another ''final
opportunity'' to disarm and to prove it had done so. Top members of the United Nations, including
Germany, France, and Russia, opposed the use of force in Iraq. Undeterred, President Bush went to
Congress and gained the support of Congress in launching a war against Iraq to maintain global security.
President Bush sent nearly a 250,000 U.S. troops to the region, dubbing the deployment "Operation Iraqi
Freedom." A few of the U.S. strongest allies, Britain and Italy, sent forces as well despite a lack of global
support. The troops were stationed in nearby Kuwait and in the Persian Gulf itself. The massing powers
did not intimidate Saddam Hussein.
United Nations and American diplomats sought to negotiate a peaceful end to uncooperative weapons
inspections to no avail. And, when Saddam Hussein passed up that final opportunity, he was given a last
chance to avoid war: 48 hours to leave the country. Finally, when the deadline for Saddam Hussein exile
passed unheeded, President Bush ordered the U.S.-led coalition to unleash a combination of aerial and
ground attacks (dubbed “Shock and Awe”) on Baghdad and other military installations inside Iraq. The
television viewing public was informed that Operation Iraqi Freedom was underway.
Within days the United States' state-of-the-art military technology, including radar-eluding stealth
bombers, "smart bombs," and sophisticated satellite espionage, had destroyed many of Iraq's command
and control centers, munitions factories, and other supposedly top-secret installations. In retaliation, Iraqi
forces sporadically engaged the U.S. forces in small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire. Over the
next five weeks, Allied forces spent $4 billion a month to station troops in Iraq and dropping 14,000 tons
of bombs on key Iraqi installations.
Satisfied that six weeks of invasion and attacks had eroded Iraq's offensive capabilities, President Bush
declared an end to open hostilities in Iraq and the war won.
The victory, by all accounts, was lopsided. American casualties of Operation Iraqi Freedom totaled 138,
fewer than the number of drivers killed on U.S. highways during a typical holiday weekend. Iraq, on the
other hand, lost over 20,000 soldiers and civilians; many more were captured or surrendered. Iraq's threat
to use biological and chemical weapons was never realized.
While many in the United States supported a military commitment against Iraq, there were also many
vocal critics. Segments of Americans protested the use of unprovoked war, calling the war a chance to
avenge a family vendetta and the desire for cheap oil. However, by the end of military action, President
Bush’s approval roared as the U.S. suffered minimal casualties and ended the military threat of a
powerful dictator. Bush's post-war approval rating established him as a powerful force in re-establishing
the U.S. as a safe nation and a world power.
With a strong message following 9/11, the defeat of the Taliban in Afghanistan, and a decisive victory in
Iraq, George Bush's political career seemed to be on stable ground. The resulting U.S. occupation of Iraq
following the war began stabilizing an Iraqi government, issued new Iraqi currency, disbanded the Iraqi
military, and captured a hiding Saddam Hussein. Despite the apparent total victory, the praise was shortlived, in part because of the U.S. economic recession; and in part because of lingering difficulties in Iraq.
Operations in Iraq failed to find significant threat of mass-destructive weapons. Within months, President
Bush also admitted that there were no ties between the Al Qaeda terrorist network and Iraq, seemingly
undermining the U.S. War on Terrorism. In addition, the growing length of the U.S. occupation and Iraqi
economic recession spurred Iraqi attacks against U.S. forces meant to maintain security. Mounting
casualties, (4600 total during U.S. presence in Iraq) and the horrific execution of U.S. civilian, Nick Berg,
further raised worldwide doubts about the stability of Iraq and the U.S. role in the Middle East. These
ongoing struggles quickly dampened the initial public enthusiasm about the victory over Iraq. Finally, the
turn in public opinion regarding the war in Iraq may tarnish President Bush’s legacy.