Since the terrorist plot against the World Trade Centre took place on September 11, 2001, the United States is not tired to reiterate its commitment to fight terrorism on a global scale and to oppose all states involved in harbouring or supporting terrorist activities. It did not take long for Bush′s War Cabinet to announce that the war in Afghanistan is only the beginning of a wider range of activities, which soon may be extended to countries like the Philippines, Sudan, Yemen, Somalia, Iran, Iraq and North Korea. In his State of the Union Address on January 29, 2002, President Bush depicted the latter three states as an "Axis of Evil". Meanwhile this expression has entered public debate as a household term. America′s increased war rhetoric and it′s blunt ambitions to oust Saddam Hussein and finally settle Bushs´ unfinished family business raised open criticism not only in the Islamic world but also among NATO allies. Many conceive this term as inopportune, misleading, ideologically biased and even insulting. Despite widespread resentment, the United States is currently assessing its opportunities to stage a full-scale war against Iraq within the next months and is campaigning for diplomatic and if possible military support in the Middle East, Europe, Russia and China. British Prime Minister Tony Blair has already declared his support for American war plans. The strong stance of the White House was recently underlined by statements of Vice President Cheney and Minister of Defence Rumsfeld who announced that the United States is able and willing to rely on its own strength and act unilaterally if an international alliance against Saddam Hussein cannot be materialized. Against this background, it is likely that we soon will witness full media coverage of a new Gulf War and CNN footage of American soldiers operating in the Persian Gulf. It would be naive and inept to expect that the ousting of Saddam Hussein′s regime is an easy and bloodless task and could automatically bring long-term stability to the region. Although, most TV channels and newspapers will provide us anew with a version of a modern high-tech war absent of bloodshed and human suffering.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- The Political and Historical Making of the Modern Iraqi State
- Chronology of U.S.-Iraqi Foreign Relations
- Conclusion - The Shipwreck of U.S. Foreign Policy toward Iraq
- List of References
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
The research paper aims to provide a historical context for the current conflict between the United States and Iraq. The paper focuses on the development of bilateral relations between the two countries from the Ba'ath revolution to the beginning of the Gulf War. It explores the complex and often contradictory relationship between the U.S. and Iraq, highlighting the role of American interests and policies in shaping the Iraqi state.
- The historical and political development of modern Iraq
- The evolution of U.S.-Iraqi foreign relations
- The role of American interests and policies in Iraq
- The impact of the Ba'ath regime on Iraqi society and politics
- The significance of the Gulf War in the context of U.S.-Iraqi relations
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The first chapter introduces the context of the U.S.-Iraqi relationship in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks, highlighting the growing tension and the "Axis of Evil" rhetoric. The chapter also outlines the historical perspective and the goal of the research paper.
The second chapter explores the political and historical development of modern Iraq, tracing its origins back to ancient Mesopotamia and analyzing the influence of various empires and regimes throughout history. It sheds light on the role of oil interests and the case of Kuwait, as well as the rise of Ba'athism.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The research paper delves into the key areas of U.S.-Iraqi relations, including the Ba'ath Revolution, Iraqi oil interests, the Gulf War, the role of American policies in Iraq, and the complexities of the bilateral relationship between the two nations. The analysis focuses on the historical context and the development of political and economic ties over time.
- Quote paper
- Simon Drexler (Author), 2002, Foreign Relations between the United States and Iraq, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/9197
