Iraq

[Guiscard]

Just to be pernickety, the given reason the UN went to war with Iraq was to remove the Iraqi occupation of Kuwait. WMDs were definitely mentioned at the time, but I don't remember it being a big issue until well after the war.

Oh dear can't believe I forgot this... Yeh all true. Actually I missed out on a first by a single mark in an essay last year because I'd worded the resolution wrongly... should have learnt my lesson really.

[Titanic]

Just to be pernickety, the given reason the UN went to war with Iraq was to remove the Iraqi occupation of Kuwait. WMDs were definitely mentioned at the time, but I don't remember it being a big issue until well after the war.

Oh dear can't believe I forgot this... Yeh all true. Actually I missed out on a first by a single mark in an essay last year because I'd worded the resolution wrongly... should have learnt my lesson really.

Yer I was thinking when you first posted how you missed Kuwait out. That was like the Cassus Bell for the UN intervention, and you seem to normally have a good grasp on these things..

Btw, what course did you study? Also, unlucky on missing out on a first, that must have really hurt, but a 2/1 is still good.

[Guiscard]

I study history, but I have taken modules in politics too because I'm interested in both areas. Nearly went for a joint honours but decided against it in the end.

I think it was the whole WMDs / Chemical weapons thing that threw me for a minute, plus I didn't get any sleep last night due to a rather intense argument in the flat above mine!

[Hitman079]

this discussion is getting too political, long, and complicated for me.
too much for my young mind to comprehend

[RobinJ]

The Iraq war is probably one of the stupidest and most pointless in recent history. First of all, Sadaam Hussain should not even have been in power beforehand - the US should have had the sense to get rid of him in the first war.

I agreed initially that Sadaam Hussain needed to be removed but not under the grounds of the whole weapons of mass destruction theology - that was all bullshit. The reason he should have been removed was to prevent anymore of his crimes against humanity - not oil, revenge or whatever else.

Then, the US government went about it entirely the wrong way. They should have sent in a huge military force. If this had been done, all the mini terrorist groups would not exist. I believe the US needed to take complete control for a few years before any attempt was made at handing power back to the Iraqis. Bush is still being a plank as well - send in another 20,000 (this figure may be incorrect but you get my meaning) troops - not enough to stop Iraqi resistance but certainly enough to get another load of young men killed for no good reason!

Then there is us - the British. We are guilty of allowing Bush to lead us blindfolded into this war - 45 minutes and we could all get killed by Iraqi missiles - bullshit then and still bullshit now. We fell prey to inaccurate data and followed Bush into the war. Just wonderful!

Of course, I have forgotten all the cock ups made since the initial invasion: the mistreatment of Iraqis and the general slaughter of the Iraqi people - more than what Sadaam could ever have achieved! Then, there were the incidents of friendly fire - when the US military blew up a few of their British allies. Finally, the most recent cock up - the hanging of Sadaam Hussain and how video footage managed to reach public view.

God - I could rant all day if I had the time

[s.xkitten]

this war is pointless...i would rant, but its hard to type when one is crying...so i'll wait, and rant later, and let y'all rant for me

[Guiscard]

The Iraq war is probably one of the stupidest and most pointless in recent history.

Far too simplistic a viewpoint.

Is it stupid? No. Is it pointless? No.

For the US, a successful occupation of Iraq (should it occur) is brilliant political sense. It would be an allied ARAB state open to basically complete US control in the Middle East, a significant challenge to both Saudi and Iranian influence as well as a nice tag-team for Israel should any major conflict kick off. Plus the control of the oil fields and the message that the US can do whatever the f*ck they like regardles of the UN and international opinion. Brilliant.

As for whether it is right or wrong, thats a different matter altogether. Casualties, false pretence for invasion, the right to promote democracy, ignoring the Un etc. etc. are all seperate questions.

As Nobunaga said, try and steer clear of just ranting aimlessly.

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