Iraq is an important country. Not only is it located at the crossroads of the
strategically important Middle East, but it also has considerable oil reserves and multiple
cities considered holy by Muslims. In March 2003, the United States (US) and Britain
swept through Iraq and removed Saddam Hussein from power in less than three weeks.
The US justified the invasion by claiming that Saddam Hussein’s support of international
terrorism, his alleged stockpile of weapons of mass destruction, and his regime all posed
imminent threats to US vital and regional interests. Unfortunately, his regime’s fall only
ushered in a new type of threat to US interests. Hussein’s removal prompted insurgents to
direct daily small-scale attacks at occupying forces. Following the end of Hussein’s rule
in April 2003, the US and its coalition allies were faced with occupying a large Islamic
country with a restive populace. Frequent attacks against US forces have resulted in more
than 670 killed in action from 1-05- 2003 to 29-05- 2004. To best understand the
challenges that the US faces today in Iraq, it is important to first understand Iraq’s proud
history.
MASTER OF MILITARY ART AND SCIENCE
Strategy
MATTHEW W. WILLIAMS, GG-13, Department of Defense
B.A., Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, VA, 1993
M.A., University of San Diego, San Diego, CA, 2002
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas
2004