Changes

====Oil for Food Scandal====

====Oil for Food Scandal====

In 2003 Ba'athist party dictator Saddam Hussein, accused of hiding weapons of mass destruction, was removed from power by a US-led coalition of forces.  Saddam had effectively stopped previous attempts at enforcement of UN resolutions by essentially bribing <ref>[http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/sanction/iraq1/oilforfood/2004/0125almadalist.htm The Saddam Oil Bribes: The Complete al-Mada List], ''al-Mada'', January 25, 2004.</ref> several Security Council members, namely the Russian Federation and France <ref>Duelfer Report, [http://www.lib.umich.edu/govdocs/pdf/duelfer1_da.pdf Regime Finance and Procurement], Vol. 1, p. 55-56.</ref> through the corrupt [[Oil for food]] (OFF) program managed by UN General Secretary [[Kofi Annan]]'s son.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/11/29/oil.for.food.kojo.annan/index.html Annan 'disappointed' son didn't tell all], CNN, November 30, 2004.</ref>

In 2003 Ba'athist party dictator Saddam Hussein, accused of hiding weapons of mass destruction, was removed from power by a US-led coalition of forces.  Saddam had effectively stopped previous attempts at enforcement of UN resolutions by essentially bribing <ref>[http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/sanction/iraq1/oilforfood/2004/0125almadalist.htm The Saddam Oil Bribes: The Complete al-Mada List], ''al-Mada'', January 25, 2004.</ref> several Security Council members, namely the Russian Federation and France <ref>Duelfer Report, [http://www.lib.umich.edu/govdocs/pdf/duelfer1_da.pdf Regime Finance and Procurement], Vol. 1, p. 55-56.</ref> through the corrupt [[Oil for food]] (OFF) program managed by UN General Secretary [[Kofi Annan]]'s son.<ref>[https://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/11/29/oil.for.food.kojo.annan/index.html Annan 'disappointed' son didn't tell all], CNN, November 30, 2004.</ref>

The Duelfer Report found,  

The Duelfer Report found,  

The Democratic Leadership in Congress wanted to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq, [http://www.washtimes.com/national/20070523-115137-6054r.htm] however Congress voted overwhelmingly to reject the idea in May 2007, 280 -142 in the House and 80-14 in the Senate.<ref>[http://washingtontimes.com/national/20070525-122215-4854r.htm Congress OKs war bill sans timeline,] By S.A. Miller, ''The Washington Times'', May 25, 2007.</ref>  U.S. support for the infant Iraqi democracy continues.

The Democratic Leadership in Congress wanted to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq, [http://www.washtimes.com/national/20070523-115137-6054r.htm] however Congress voted overwhelmingly to reject the idea in May 2007, 280 -142 in the House and 80-14 in the Senate.<ref>[http://washingtontimes.com/national/20070525-122215-4854r.htm Congress OKs war bill sans timeline,] By S.A. Miller, ''The Washington Times'', May 25, 2007.</ref>  U.S. support for the infant Iraqi democracy continues.

On May 10, 2007, 144 Iraqi Parliamentary lawmakers signed onto a legislative petition calling on the United States to set a timetable for withdrawal.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,271210,00.html Iraq Bill Demands U.S. Troop Withdraw] Associated Press, Fox News, May 10, 2007</ref> On June 3, 2007, the Iraqi Parliament voted 85 to 59 to require the Iraqi government to consult with Parliament before requesting additional extensions of the UN Security Council Mandate for Coalition operations in Iraq.<ref>[http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1180960615762&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull Iraqi parliament wants say in extension of US-led forces] Associated Press, The Jerusalem Post, June 5, 2007</ref> The current UN mandate expires in December 2007.<ref>[http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2006/sc8879.doc.htm United Nations Security Council Resolution 1723 (2006)]</ref>

On May 10, 2007, 144 Iraqi Parliamentary lawmakers signed onto a legislative petition calling on the United States to set a timetable for withdrawal.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,271210,00.html Iraq Bill Demands U.S. Troop Withdraw] Associated Press, Fox News, May 10, 2007</ref> On June 3, 2007, the Iraqi Parliament voted 85 to 59 to require the Iraqi government to consult with Parliament before requesting additional extensions of the UN Security Council Mandate for Coalition operations in Iraq.<ref>[http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1180960615762&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull Iraqi parliament wants say in extension of US-led forces] Associated Press, The Jerusalem Post, June 5, 2007</ref> The current UN mandate expires in December 2007.<ref>[https://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2006/sc8879.doc.htm United Nations Security Council Resolution 1723 (2006)]</ref>

According to the failed state index, which is based on economic, social, and political indicators, Iraq is the second least stable nation for 2007 (out of 177 nations rated).  Only [[Sudan]] scored lower.<ref>[http://www.fundforpeace.org/web/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=229&Itemid=366 Failed State Index]</ref>

According to the failed state index, which is based on economic, social, and political indicators, Iraq is the second least stable nation for 2007 (out of 177 nations rated).  Only [[Sudan]] scored lower.<ref>[http://www.fundforpeace.org/web/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=229&Itemid=366 Failed State Index]</ref>

In September, 2007, the [[Government Accountability Office]] announced that the Iraqi government had failed to meet 11 out of 18 non-binding benchmarks set by the United States congress in May.  They partially met four benchmarks, and completely met three.  Top U.S. officials, including Bush, said they are disappointed by the Iraqi government's slow rate of progress.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/09/04/gao.iraq/index.html?iref=topnews Report Finds Little Progress in Iraq]</ref>

In September, 2007, the [[Government Accountability Office]] announced that the Iraqi government had failed to meet 11 out of 18 non-binding benchmarks set by the United States congress in May.  They partially met four benchmarks, and completely met three.  Top U.S. officials, including Bush, said they are disappointed by the Iraqi government's slow rate of progress.<ref>[https://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/09/04/gao.iraq/index.html?iref=topnews Report Finds Little Progress in Iraq]</ref>

=====The Surge: 2007-2008=====

=====The Surge: 2007-2008=====

:''Main article: [[Iraq insurgency 2004-2008]]

:''Main article: [[Iraq insurgency 2004-2008]]

====Islamist Terrorism====

====Islamist Terrorism====

In 2014 Islamist terror organization [[Islamic State]] took control over many cities like [[Fallujah]] or [[Mosul]].<ref>http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/battle-to-establish-islamic-state-across-iraq-and-syria-9510044.html</ref> After that [[Barack Hussein Obama]] announced to attack Iraq<ref>http://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2014/08/09/barack-obama-is-fourth-president-to-put-americans-at-risk-in-iraq-u-s-should-stay-out-and-leave-the-fight-to-others/</ref> and sent weapons to [[Kurd]]ish [[Peshmerga]] fighters.<ref>http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/11/us-arm-peshmerga-iraq-kurdistan-isis</ref> As a result of this crisis Prime Minister [[Nouri al-Maliki]] resigned.

In 2014 Islamist terror organization [[Islamic State]] took control over many cities like [[Fallujah]] or [[Mosul]].<ref>http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/battle-to-establish-islamic-state-across-iraq-and-syria-9510044.html</ref> After that [[Barack Hussein Obama]] announced to attack Iraq<ref>http://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2014/08/09/barack-obama-is-fourth-president-to-put-americans-at-risk-in-iraq-u-s-should-stay-out-and-leave-the-fight-to-others/</ref> and sent weapons to [[Kurd]]ish [[Peshmerga]] fighters.<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/11/us-arm-peshmerga-iraq-kurdistan-isis</ref> As a result of this crisis Prime Minister [[Nouri al-Maliki]] resigned.

== See also ==

== See also ==