IRAQ 2003 (PART 1)1: THE ROAD TO WAR

Abstract

Most wars in the post-Second World War era, Vietnam included, have been pretty controversial. This has especially been regarding the motivation for the wars. But also the conduct of the conflicts – the strategy, operations and tactics – have been thoroughly debated and second-guessed.

Although it was fought only recently, the Iraq War has been no exception. The war produced a deep transatlantic split between erstwhile allies, such as the United States and the United Kingdom on the one hand, and France and Germany on the other. Even Europe has been rent asunder, with France, Germany and Belgium squaring up to Italy, Spain, Denmark, Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic. There has also been a much larger split between the West at large and the Islamic world. In most countries, public opinion was set squarely against the war. And although there was widespread support for the war in America and Britain, a vocal minority made itself loudly heard.