An Iraq question?

Question

I am writing an extra credit paper for the end of the year. I want to get a few different views from people to include in the essay. Here is the essay question:
Is the Iraq war a major departure in American policy toward the Middle East, or is it simply the culmination of long-term trands? Discuss the origins of American strategy in the region as well as the reasons behind the Iraq War.

This should be an interesting topic to read your views.

Answer 1

We have been at war with radical Islam since Iran took our embassy people hostage during the Carter administration. We chose to ignore this disease known as international terrorism for decades. We finally realized that we are at war after the attack on 9/11. The only reason it ended up in Iraq right now is Saddam overplayed his hand. He would still be in power if he had cooperated with the UN inspectors. He liked making everyone believe he had horrible weapons. After 9/11 we could not take the chance that he did and might provide the technology to terrorists. Since we were still at war with Iraq since Dessert Storm, we took the opportunity to take out his perceived threat.

The terror supporting countries in the region realize the threat to them that a Free Iraq would pose, have been supporting the insurgency with money and sophisticated weapons. The disease of fundamentalist Islamic tyranny cannot abide the cure that liberty brings to the long suffering people of the Middle East.

Until the 9/11 attacks, the policy of America had been to pretty much ignore the threat of international terrorism. In that respect it is a major departure in that we finally have a policy of action.

.

Answer 2

It is certainly a major departure from previous American policy in the Middle East. Before, we would either use proxies (i.e. Israel), or we would just play two sides against each other by supporting both sides (i.e. Iraq/Iran).

As for the reasons behind the Iraq War, good luck with that one. The current White House reasons are Al Qaida, and Victory. So, I guess you can spin that however you can; or you can be honest with yourself and everyone else and explain what reasons were given, what were the results, and which reasons turned out to be accurate.

One more thing, none of the reasons turned out to be accurate.

Mike H.

Answer 3

A culmination of long term trends, triggered by 9/11, caused a major departure from American policy toward the middle east.

The two statements are not mutually exclusive.

Answer 4

The Iraq war is part of America's strategy against the terrorists to create a democracy to succeed in the Middle East.That will give many Muslims a second choice to extremism.So,they won't come to America and blow people up.

Answer 5

It shows the US blundered in where fools would fear to tread. Despite the warnings this would happen, there was no need for the invasion Saddam needed to be taken out for sure and that would have been a far cheaper option.
Legal or not such an action wouldn't have tarnished the US reputation as much as the present crisis.