If Saudis attacked us on 9/11, then why are we at war with Iraq instead of Saudi Arabia?

Question

I would like an honest answer to why you believe we are in Iraq. I typically hear conservatives say that we were attacked on 9/11 therefore we had to invade Iraq, but I am quite curious to know why no one was advocating war with Saudi Arabia if we were merely seeking a reprisal.

2 things here -

Clinton did not go to war with Iraq, and GWB did not promise to start a war with Iraq. To say that we are there to finish what Clinton started is intellectually dishonest.

Since people have claimed that we are in Iraq because we were attacked first, then I am asking those people to clarify WHY we are not Saudi Arabia where the hijackers came from. I understand that we are in Afghanistan to eliminate Al'Queada, my question is specifically asking why we are attacking someone that had nothing to do with 9/11.

As for the 9/11 commission report, page 66 indicates most clearly that : "But to date we have seen no evidence that these or the earlier contacts ever developed into a collaborative operational relationship. Nor
have we seen evidence indicating that Iraq cooperated with al Qaeda in devel-
oping or carrying out any attacks against the United States."

http://www.faqs.org/docs/911/911Report-83.html

Thank you for the tip.

2 things here -

Clinton did not go to war with Iraq, and GWB did not promise to start a war with Iraq. To say that we are there to finish what Clinton started is intellectually dishonest.

I understand that we are in Afghanistan to eliminate Al'Queada, my question is specifically asking why we are attacking someone that had nothing to do with 9/11.

As for the 9/11 commission report, page 66 indicates most clearly that : "But to date we have seen no evidence that these or the earlier contacts ever developed into a collaborative operational relationship. Nor
have we seen evidence indicating that Iraq cooperated with al Qaeda in developing or carrying out any attacks against the United States."

http://www.faqs.org/docs/911/911Report-83.html

Also, Iraq violated UN resolutions, and Israel has violated over 77 UN resolutions, so why aren't we at war with them? I didn't realize we were going to war merely to put some backbone into the UN, thanks for clearing that up for me.

Answer 1

We dont attack Saudi even though they are the source of 9/11:
Because bush and His family are in bed with the Saudi's Royal Family
They have good lobbying power in congress and 1.2 billion investment.

Now Saudi and Iraq they both have abundant oil, but the big difference is Iraq does not have investments in the US or in bed with the Bushies, and the oils are free game for Exxon and Mobil (bush's campaign donors)... meaning no foreign company has yet to sign a contract/legal right with Iraq to drill the oil.

Answer 2

Your absolutely right and some of the answers to your question are really quite laughable. The Saudis are funding the Sunni's in Iraq and Bush turns a blind eye to the whole situation. Why? Because he's in the back pocket of Saudi Arabia. We have absolutely no business being in Iraq, and the Conservatives who support this are so ignorant its not even funny. The Taliban are regrouping in Afghanistan, and are as strong as ever, so exactly how effective is Bush's so called war on terror? I will tell you, its anything but effective, in fact its nothing but a down right joke.

Answer 3

Mike, the Saudis have a 1.2 TRILLION dollar investment in our economy!

there are several reasons for our occupation of iraq:

1. Former pres. bush should not have left saddam in power, an embarrassing mistake that his son wanted to correct
2. saddam attempted to assassinate former pres. bush after he was out of office. GWB felt justified in taking out saddam for this.
3. it was ridiculous and expensive maintaining 'no fly zones' in northern and southern iraq.
4. The neocons want a long term military presence in that area.
smugglers of nuclear materials out of russia and its former republics would most likely head south through afghanistan and through iraq.
we can also keep iran in check, protect israel and secure the region. we have troops in southern nations such as UAE, but needed a buffer in the middle.
To many Americans the above top 3 reasons might not be strong enough reason for an invasion, so other excuses (wmd's, ties to al qaeda) were invented to get public approval.
the 4th reason is politically unacceptable, and couldn't be used.

Answer 4

The Bush, Saudi, and Bin Ladens have been friends and business partners for decades. Bin Laden was born in Saudi Arabia and the terrorists were from Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries but Iraq.

Answer 5

The Saudi citizens in question worked as individuals in the performance of the terrorist acts of 9/11. They did not do the deed as agents of the country of Saudi Arabia. The attack on Iraq was long overdue as they were not abiding by the numerous resolutions and agreements they were expected to comply with after they were booted out of Kuwait.

Answer 6

OK Saudi or Iraq did not attack us ---it was some citizens from the first country------Saudis are George Bush best allies for years and long business history----- u mean why we are not after Bin Laden ??? the answer is the boggie man must stay around to help the agenda succeed

Answer 7

We are in Iraq to put a stranglehold on Iran iraq to the west afghanistan to the east syria fully cooperating arabian sea to the south and caspian to the north then we are centrally planted smack dab in the middle of europe,africa and asia makes it a little harder for any country from NKorea to China to Saudi Arabia to disagree with us!Look at a map,why do you think russia bankrupted itself to gain control of afghanistan? that is prime property for regional control the oil is just a bonus,I just hope we dont go down the financial toilet for it.

Answer 8

The Bush family holds hands with the Saudi Government and turns a blind eye to problems created by the Wannabes of Saudi Arabia.

Answer 9

I am so tired of repeating this same debate question over and over again. I'm sure within the past 4 years you have heard the arguments on both sides. Read page 66 in the 9/11 commission report. It explains a lot about Saddam's involvement with Bin Laden and Al qaeda.

If a couple of random US citizens bombed something in Saudi Arabia, does that mean you hold the entire country of the US responsible?

Answer 10

Saudi Arabia didn't attack the US. Muslims attacked us. Those people just happened to be from Saudi Arabia.

This war on terror isn't just about 911. The war in Iraq has to do with UN resolutions and treaties that Iraq signed and continously broke over the last 17 years since the Gulf War.

You're mixing issues.