Should the United States invade Iraq?

Background

In 2003, the United States went to war with Iraq. The primary justification was preemptive - to rid the country of Weapons of Mass Destruction before they could be used against the US and their allies. There was considerable debate as to whether preemption was legitimate, whether the intelligence was sound, and whether going to war was the most effective way to deal with the threat posed by Saddam Hussein.

Implications to Other Questions

	Would invading Iraq result in a quagmire?
	Does Iraq possess weapons of mass destruction?
	Was oil a motivation for invading Iraq in 2003?
	Are Iraqis better off since Saddam's regime was toppled?

Experts

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Agree

Experts In Politics

John McCain U.S. Senator, Republican

Agree

I think the president has embarked on a well planned effort to rid the world in this country of the threat of the use of weapons of mass destruction by Saddam Hussein.

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12 Sep 2002 Source

Sub-Arguments Of This Expert:
Would invading Iraq result in a quagmire?
Disagree

Hillary Clinton US Secretary of State 2009-, Democrat

Agree

This is a very difficult vote. This is probably the hardest decision I have ever had to make -- any vote that may lead to war should be hard -- but I cast it with conviction. And perhaps my decision is influenced by my eight years of experience on the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue in the White House watching my husband deal with serious challenges to our nation.

The Personal Pitch

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10 Nov 2002 Source

Sub-Arguments Of This Expert:
Does Iraq possess weapons of mass destruction?
Agree

The Economist Politics and Business Magazine

Agree

If Mr Hussein refuses to disarm, it would be right to go to war.

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23 Feb 2003 Source

Disagree

Experts In Politics

Barack Obama United States President

Disagree

I know that even a successful war against Iraq will require a US occupation of undetermined length, at undetermined cost, with undetermined consequences. I know that an invasion of Iraq without a clear rationale and without strong international support will only fan the flames of the Middle East, and encourage the worst, rather than best, impulses of the Arab world, and strengthen the recruitment arm of Al Qaeda. I am not opposed to all wars. I’m opposed to dumb wars.

The Distancing Pitch

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02 Oct 2002 Source

Sub-Arguments Of This Expert:
Would invading Iraq result in a quagmire?
Agree

Experts In Nuclear Energy

Mohamed ElBaradei Director of International Atomic Energy Agency

Disagree

We trust that we will continue to have your support [inspecting Iraq] as we make every effort to verify Iraq’s nuclear disarmament through peaceful means, and to demonstrate that the inspection process can and does work, as a central feature of the international nuclear arms control regime.

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27 Jan 2003 Source

Sub-Arguments Of This Expert:
Does Iraq possess weapons of mass destruction?
Mostly Disagree

Comments

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