Justification for Iraq War?

Question

Here is a question for all to ponder... Attacking a US military installation by a foreign govt. is a declaration of war. Hence, wouldn't Saddam shooting at our jets patrolling the UN sanctioned no fly zone be considered a declaration of war? If it is Doesn't the US have a right to defend themselves has forcibly as desired? If we do nothing when one country attacks, what stops others from trying the same thing??

Gengi, read the question please.... Patrolling the UN sanctioned no fly zone.

Answer 1

The coalition planes that were bombing the Iraqi anti-aircraft facilities were doing so because Saddam had rejected the no-fly zones and had offered rewards to anyone who shot an allied plane down. This is just a single example of Saddam's refusal to comply with U.N. resolutions and continue to maintain WMD's, including extensive chemical arsenals as evidenced by the inspection teams.
He simply overplayed his hand - and he paid the consequences.

Answer 2

The US could only justify patrolling the No Fly Zone because it was acting on behalf of the UN. Any retaliation to Saddam's attacks against US planes (effectively, "UN planes" more than "US planes" in a way) would therefore have to be within the guidelines of the UN. If you do not accept international law, then you should specify on what alternative grounds you mean to say the US had a "right" to defend itself, or even to have been flying over Iraqi territory during peacetime in the first place.

Then, while its easy for me to see how retaliation might be justified if it is done in respect to the UN and international law, the question remains: what kind of retaliation? Is extensive bombing of Baghdad (far from the No Fly Zone), the occupation of the country and the overthrow of its government to be justified solely on the basis of a few shots being fired at some airplanes? Very few people think so, which is why the debate about weapons of mass destruction and so on emerged.

Answer 3

what were US jets doing in Iraq? if a fighter jet i flys into a foreign country it can be expected that it may be shot at, these jets were also the same ones that were bombing Iraqi weapons installations so they were far from peacefully patrolling. and Iraq was far from the aggressor in that war, they didn't fly 5000miles to invade a foreign country.

Answer 4

Because it's there.

Like Edmond Hillary's answer about Everest.

Answer 5

you are so right. if we look strong it invites less attacks. common sense.