| − | The [[Iraq War]], also known as the Second Persian Gulf War, began in March 2003 when the United States and a "coalition of the willing" invaded [[Iraq ]]to overthrow [[Saddam Hussein]]'s Baathist regime. The close links between Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein was claimed by CNN in 1999.<ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/WORLD/meast/9902/13/afghan.binladen/ Bin Laden reportedly leaves Afghanistan, ''[[CNN]]''</ref><ref>[http://www.democraticunderground.com/articles/03/02/07_link.html] Powell Offers Proof of Saddam-Osama Link</ref> More recently, the [[9/11 commission]] disproved any connection between them in the 9/11 attacks.<ref>[http://www.warblogging.com/archives/000536.php]</ref><ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5223932/] 9/11 panel sees no link between Iraq, al-Qaida</ref> | + | The [[Iraq War]], also known as the Second Persian Gulf War, began in March 2003 when the United States and a "coalition of the willing" invaded [[Iraq ]]to remove the weapons of mass destruction that the Bush Administration [ http://www.worldpress.org/specials/iraq/ claimed] existed in the country. The [[United Nations]] [ http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/issues/iraq/attack/lawindex.htm did not support] America's motives for invading Iraq as their weapons inspectors could not find any of the weapons classified as weapons of mass destruction. After invading Iraq and removing it's dictator, [[Saddam Hussien]] from power, [ http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/01/12/wmd.search/index.html the United States failed to find] any of the illegal weapons they had originally though existed. U.S. forces changed their focus to setting up a democratic government in Iraq. On January 11, 2007, President Bush, for the first time admitted to and [ http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/01/10/iraq/main2344631.shtml apologized for errors made in Iraq]. Specifically, in not ordering military build up in Iraq in 2006. The President recently announced his plan for a [ http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16453606/ "troop surge"] in Iraq in which 21,500 more soldiers would be sent to Iraq with the intent of providing a stronger resistance to the [[insurgents]]. |
| | + | <br /><br />CNN claimed that Bin Laden was connected to Saddam Hussien1999.<ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/WORLD/meast/9902/13/afghan.binladen/ Bin Laden reportedly leaves Afghanistan, ''[[CNN]]''</ref><ref>[http://www.democraticunderground.com/articles/03/02/07_link.html ] Powell Offers Proof of Saddam-Osama Link</ref> More recently, the [[9/11 commission]] disproved any connection between them in the 9/11 attacks.<ref>[ http://www.warblogging.com/archives/000536.php]</ref><ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5223932/] 9/11 panel sees no link between Iraq, al-Qaida</ref> |
| | + | Research using robust surveying techniques has estimated that over 650,000 Iraqis have died<ref>[ http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v443/n7113/full/443728a.html Iraqi death toll withstands scrutiny], ''[[Nature]]''</ref> since the fall of the [[Ba'athist]] regime. Additionally, 3,200 American troops haved died since March 2003 as a result of the Iraq War. |