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Iraq
Picture Credit: Mennonite Central Committee The United States invaded Iraq in alliance with Britain on March 20, 2003, winning a quick military victory and ousting the government of Saddam Hussein. Though the US and the UK claimed they acted in accordance with international law, an overwhelming majority of the world’s governments and people thought otherwise. Since then, the US-UK occupation has encountered increasing armed resistance in Iraq, and support for the war and occupation has steadily declined in the invading countries. US-UK claims about Iraqi weapons threats and terror links have proven false, and the costs of the operation have risen. This section looks at many aspects of the conflict in Iraq, such as the background to the war, including the thirteen years of sanctions and the importance of Iraq’s huge oil resources. It also examines the issues that have emerged since the invasion, such as the resistance to the occupation, the disputes surrounding a post-war government, and the task of reconstruction.
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Major NGO Report: "War and Occupation in Iraq" (June 2007)
Political Issues | Humanitarian Issues | Historical Issues | Links and Resources
Picture Credit: Village Photos
Picture Credit: Bag News Notes
Picture Credit: Agence France Presse
Picture Credit: Jacob Silberberg/Associated Press
Picture Credit: Ceerwan Aziz/Reuters Political Issues in Iraq
Multinational Force Mandate Renewal
This page looks at the political and legal issues surrounding the renewal of the UN mandate for the multinational force in Iraq (MNF). It considers the implications of the MNF renewal on the reconciliation process in Iraq and the political crisis between the nationalists who control parliament and the separatists who control the Cabinet.UN Role in Iraq
This section also explores the dilemma of the UN’s role in occupied Iraq and whether the UN should take on greater responsibilities in Iraq if the US decides to draw down its troops.Iraq's Government
This page follows developments in the political process in Iraq since the US-led invasion.Leaders and Occupiers in Iraq
This section provides a summary of the major leaders and occupiers in Iraq's government, including the executive and legislative branches. It also details key social and religious figures in Iraq, such as tribal leaders and leaders of the trade unions. It also sets out US State Department leaders.Withdrawal?
This section explores the many aspects of a US military pull-out from Iraq, including Washington's refusal to set a timetable or criteria for withdrawal, and arguments for ending the occupation.Oil in Iraq
Iraq has the world’s second largest proven oil reserves. Oil industry observers predict a gold-rush of profits for the Anglo-American oil giants in the post Saddam setting. This section considers how oil has driven the US-UK plan for war, how it shapes the occupation, and how it has affected the modern history of Iraq.Corporate Contracts
US occupation authorities have assumed control of the reconstruction process and awarded lucrative contracts to US firms with direct links to the White House. Washington has also retaliated against countries opposing the war by excluding their firms from major reconstruction contracts. Scandals and investigations in Washington have revealed some of the sordid details.Important Documents on Iraq
This page provides first-hand documents, including UN draft resolutions and reports, as well as government papers.International Law Aspects of the Iraq War and Occupation
This sections discuss the illegality of the 2003 war and subsequent occupation. It also looks at the violations of international law in Iraq and the question of immunity of the occupiers.Justifications for War: WMDs and Other Issues
This section covers the controversies and changing reasons put forward in Washington and London to justify the war and subsequent occupation.Media Coverage of Iraq
This section looks at mass media coverage of the Iraq war and occupation, especially how the big US-based media companies fed the public sensational, pro-war news reports.Permanent Bases
This page provides information about the US building very large, expensive, self-sufficient and long-lasting military bases in Iraq as well as an enormous new embassy complex in Baghdad.Resistance to the Occupation
This section looks at the nature of the resistance, its tactics, support and success, and whether the occupation forces can prevail or will be forced to withdraw. Also see GPF's page on Iraqi Public Opinion Polls and the Occupation.Sectarianism
This page looks at how US and UK occupation tactics have emphasized the divisions between Kurds, Sunnis and Shiites in Iraq.Statements Against the War and Occupation of Iraq
This page collects public statements prominent figures and leaders have made against the war and occupation in Iraq.The Coalition
This section provides information about members of the “coalition” that have either withdrawn their troops or drawn down their numbers, in response to their citizens’ opposition to the war and occupation.Picture Credit: Thierry Esch, Paris Match
Picture Credit: Karim Sahib, Agence France Presse
Picture Credit: Foreign Policy
Picture Credit: Getty Images Humanitarian Issues in Iraq
Iraq's Humanitarian Crisis
With close to 4 million displaced people in and outside of Iraq, an average of about 100 people killed daily, and a third of the population living in poverty, Iraq 's humanitarian emergency has reached a crisis level that compares with some of the world's most urgent catastrophes.Consequences of the War and Occupation of Iraq
This sections looks at the consequences and costs of the war and occupation, including the humanitarian, economic, political, legal, military and cultural repercussions.Atrocities and Criminal Homicides
US-led occupation forces have committed numerous atrocities in Iraq since the invasion of 2003. Haditha, Hamandiya, Sadr City, Samarra and Ishaqi have become synonymous with murder, rape and the multiple killing of civilians.Torture and Prison Abuse in Iraq
Occupation forces have mistreated, abused and tortured hundreds of prisoners and a number of detainees have died under interrogation or in custody.Indiscriminate and Especially Injurious Weapons
This section provides information about the use of indiscriminate and especially injurious weapons by Coalition Forces in Iraq.Mortality
A very large number of Iraqis have died under the occupation and the rate of mortality has risen sharply. Demographic surveys, body counts using daily news reports, data from morgues and hospitals, and epidemiological studies all show that Iraq's population has paid - and continues to pay - a steep price.Reconstruction of Iraq
Reconstruction has made scant progress in war-torn Iraq since the March 2003 US invasion. This section covers the many aspects of reconstruction, including Iraq's debt burden and negotiations for debt cancellation, as well as US insistence on a radically deregulated and liberalized Iraqi economy, ready for the eventual investments of the multinational oil giants.Development Fund for Iraq
This page follows the “Development Fund for Iraq,”(DFI) created in 2003 to administer proceeds from the export sales of Iraq's oil, as well as funds remaining from the UN Oil-for-Food Programme and other assets seized from the defunct regime.Siege Tactics and Attacks on Population Centers
Occupation forces have repeatedly targeted heavily-populated civilian centers in Iraq, including Fallujah, Ramadi, Tal Afar, Samarra, and Najaf, resulting in many civilian casualties and massive destruction of the urban physical infrastructure. During these operations, the US Coalition forces have also used siege tactics, such as cut off vital necessities, including water and medical supplies.Occupation and Rule in Iraq
This page provides general articles about the occupation.Picture Credit: Getty Images Historical Issues
The Iraq Tribunal: Trying Saddam Hussein and Other Top Baath Leaders
The capture of Saddam Hussein on December 13, 2003 prompted a worldwide debate as to how to try him and other top Baath Party leaders. While the US government and the Iraqi Governing Council push for a trial at a war crimes tribunal in Iraq, human rights activists and legal experts call for an internationally-organized tribunal.Iraq Conflict: The Historical Background
This section looks back at events and interests that shaped the modern history of Iraq. From UK-French oil quarrels at the Versailles Conference (1919) through US firms selling biological and chemical items to Saddam (late 1980s) -- this section provides an essential background to the current conflict.Previous Issues and Debate on Iraq
See GPF materials on previous issues and debate about Iraq, including the US Road to War, US War Against Iraq, US Arm-Twisting to obtain a UN resolution, Weapons Inspection Program, Saddam's Regime , No-Fly Zones, Movement Against War and Occupation, Sanctions...
Links and Resources
Links and Resources to websites following Iraq.
Index of Other Countries and Territories
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