Iraq Paper

Djibril CIsse

10-30-13

GPVT 200

Professor Beshah

Change of Plans

The devastating attacks on 9/11, dramatically changed the United States of America’s foreign policy. In particular, it’s relation with Arab nations. It was clear, that the U.S enemy was Al Qaeda and its affiliates. As a result, U.S and European allies “ousted the Taliban regime in Afghanistan ( Goldstein, p. 30). Following the invasion of Afganistan in 2001, lead U.S and N.AT.O allies to invade Iraq. Although, U.S presence was already present in Iraq in 1990 during the Gulf War, they were not successful in ending Sadam regime, only weakening it. It’s evident that the U.S relationship with Iraq, has solely been based on economic interest. The United States intervening Iraq’s attempt to annex Kuwait and the invasion of Iraq in 2003, were military actions intended to protect U.S interest.

The U.S and Iraq relation dates back to the Regan administration. During the late 1980’s, growing tension was rising between Iraq and Iran. The war lasted eight years, many of years of civil unrest and violence, occurred on both territories. Yet, nearing the end of the war, Iraq gained a key supporter, the United States. According to the Huffington Post article U.S. Gave Iraq Intel, Ignored Chemical Attacks In 1980s, Report Says, The United States government had military knowledge, of Iranian troops and also knowledge of chemical attacks by Iraqis against Iran (Agence France Press, 2013). Based on the information provided by the Huffington Post, it’s clear that the United States relationship has dissolved overtime. During the Reagan Administration, the United states saw a potential economic gain in the middle east region. A region rich in natural resources, which has been torn between eastern and western powers. Hence, the United States sided with the weaker the state, Iraq at the time.

The relation between the to states can be understood through the constructivism, As Goldstein describes this approach as...