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AS100 Group 1: The Iraq War

The Iraq War (2003 - 2011)

The Iraq War was a conflict that began on March 20, 2003, when a United States-led coalition invaded Iraq, citing concerns over weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and ties to terrorism. Although the initial invasion quickly toppled Saddam Hussein’s regime and led to his capture in December 2003, no WMDs were found, undermining the war’s justification.

Following the invasion, Iraq descended into insurgency and sectarian violence, with Sunni insurgents, Al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI), and Shiite militias launching attacks against U.S. forces and civilians. Key events included the Fallujah battles (2004), the Abu Ghraib scandal (2004), and the Samarra mosque bombing (2006), which intensified Sunny-Shia tensions.

To combat the growing instability, the U.S. implemented a troop surge in 2007, increasing forces under General David Petraeus and supporting the Sunni Awakening Movement, which helped reduce violence. By 2009, the U.S. began withdrawing troops, transitioning to an advisory role.

The war officially ended with the full withdrawal of U.S. forces on December 18, 2011. However, Iraq remained politically and militarily unstable, and unresolved conflicts later contributed to the rise of ISIS in 2014.

Instruments of Power

A country has many tools at its disposal to pursue national objectives. This tools are used to exercise influence on other countries or organizations. This tools are know as Instruments of Power.

The United States used all Instruments of Power before and during the Iraq War. Below are examples of how the United States used Diplomatic, Informational, Military, and Economic (D.I.M.E.) tools to win the Iraq War:

Diplomacy

Before the Iraq War, diplomacy played a key role in trying to prevent conflict. The United Nations (UN) used diplomatic efforts by sending inspectors to Iraq to check for weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). Countries like France and Germany pushed for more time for inspections, believing war could be avoided. Despite diplomatic discussions, the United States and the United Kingdom insisted that Iraq was a threat and decided to take military action.

Another major diplomatic effort came from France, which strongly opposed the war. French President Jacques Chirac used diplomacy to convince other nations that military action was unnecessary. France also threatened to veto a UN resolution that would approve the invasion. Through diplomatic talks, they tried to delay or stop the war, but the U.S. moved forward without full UN support.

Information

1. Disinformation and Strategic Deception

The United States used false intelligence leaks to mislead Iraqi forces about invasion plans.
Example: The United States suggested that a large-scale amphibious assault would target Basra, leading Iraqi forces to reinforce the wrong areas.

Meanwhile, the real thrust of the attack focused on Baghdad, leading to a swift advance.

2. Social Influence and Perception Warfare

The United States controlled Iraqi state television broadcasts after capturing key cities, replacing them with pro-coalition messages.

Iraqi citizens were shown images of Saddam Hussein’s statues being toppled, reinforcing the narrative of a collapsing regime.

The coalition encouraged Iraqi civilians to support the new government, portraying Saddam’s rule as corrupt and oppressive.

Military

1. Initial Invasion – Operation Iraqi Freedom (March 20, 2003 – May 1, 2003)

Shock and Awe: The U.S. and coalition forces launched a rapid air and ground assault to dismantle the Iraqi military and government.
Key Battles:
- Battle of Nasiriyah (March 23-29, 2003): A major fight between U.S. Marines and Iraqi forces; known for the ambush of the U.S. Army's 507th Maintenance Company.
- Fall of Baghdad (April 9, 2003): U.S. forces captured the Iraqi capital, leading to the toppling of Saddam Hussein’s government. • Mission Accomplished Speech (May 1, 2003): President George W. Bush declared major combat operations over, though the insurgency was just beginning.

2. Insurgency and Counterinsurgency (2003–2007)

Rise of Insurgent Groups: After Saddam’s fall, groups like Al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI), Shiite militias, and Ba’athist loyalists launched attacks against coalition and Iraqi forces.
Guerrilla Warfare and IEDs: Insurgents used improvised explosive devices (IEDs), ambushes, and suicide bombings to target U.S. troops.
First Battle of Fallujah (April 2004): After four American contractors were killed, U.S. Marines launched an assault but faced heavy resistance and had to withdraw.
Second Battle of Fallujah (November–December 2004): U.S. forces, alongside Iraqi troops, retook the city in one of the war’s most intense urban battles.

3. The Surge (2007–2008)

Troop Increase: In response to escalating violence, President Bush ordered an increase of 30,000 U.S. troops to stabilize Iraq.
Anbar Awakening: Sunni tribal leaders, frustrated with AQI’s brutality, allied with U.S. forces, significantly reducing violence in Anbar Province.
Tactical Shifts: U.S. forces used a more community-based counterinsurgency strategy, embedding troops in local areas rather than operating from large bases.

4. Drawdown and Withdrawal (2009–2011)

Iraqi Security Forces Take Over: As U.S. forces withdrew, Iraqi forces assumed greater responsibility for security.
U.S. Combat Forces Leave (August 31, 2010): President Obama announced the official end of combat operations and transitioned to an advisory role.
Final Troop Withdrawal (December 18, 2011): The last U.S. soldiers left Iraq, ending nearly nine years of military involvement.

Economic

The economy played a significant role in the Iraq War (2003-2011) in several ways:

1. War Financing and Cost

In 2020, Neta Crawford, chair of the political science department at Boston University, in her Costs of War Project, estimated the long term cost of the Iraq War for the United States at $1.922 trillion.

2. Oil and Economic Interests

Iraq holds some of the world’s largest oil reserves. This war drastically reshaped Iraq’s oil industry, leading to major policy changes that benefit Western oil companies.

3. Global Economic Impact

Much about the economics of the war in Iraq is not known. But a few risks should be considered – given that the war was short and will be limited to Iraq:
- The war in Iraq may hamper global economic growth due to higher oil prices.
- The war in Iraq may result in disruptions of international trade.
- The war in Iraq may impede international coordination in fighting the global recession