U. S. Presence in Iraq: Stay or Leave?

The sky suggested that is was day, but the clock read that it was night. Bone rattling crashes and thunderous booms made all wish for a second of silence. However, none was to come. Shock and awe had begun. March 19, 2003, President Bush ordered the first air strikes against Saddam Hussein and his government. These airstrikes began two days after President Bush had issued an ultimatum to Saddam Hussein stating that Saddam must turn himself in. This ultimatum was the result of months of tension between the Iraq government and the United Nations.

In October 2002, Congress approved the use of force against Iraq. President Bush stated that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction and that the Iraq government funded terrorism. In addition to these claims, he cited Iraq's refusal to comply with scheduled UN weapons inspection and to support his decision to attack Iraq. President Bush also described in detail hundreds of atrocities committed by Hussein and his regime. These atrocities ranged from the genocide of certain ethnic groups to the execution of homosexuals. These newly provided details gave Bush the support he needed in order to launch a campaign to remove Saddam from power. By November 2002, the security council of the UN had stated this was Iraq's final opportunity to cooperate with weapons inspectors. The next month, Iraq claimed they had no weapons of mass destruction, but this claim was met with disbelief.

At the beginning of 2003, UN weapons inspectors had yet to find any weapons of mass destruction. However, they maintained that Iraq had not fully cooperated with the inspection. Iraq refused to divulge any information about pre-existing weapons of mass destructions or programs to develop such weapons. Another major factor leading to American involvement in Iraq was the threat of terrorism. Post 9-11, the entire world was extremely aware of the dangers of terrorism. Claims that Saddam's regime funded terrorist organizations and may have provided funds for the September 11 attacks spurred the U.S. government into action. President Bush did not want Iraq to become a breeding ground for terrorist groups such as Al Qaida. Bush maintained that the way to keep this from happening was the removal of Saddam from power. Although victory was officially declared on May 1, 2003 and Saddam was captured in December of that year, American troops remain in Iraq.

The deployment of troops to Iraq continues in a process which leads U.S. forces to remain in Iraq with intentions to finish what they have come to accomplish. By rebuilding Iraq, it will establish a government where they can be self governed. Presently, Iraq is being ruled by the governing council. The U.S. would like to submit a plan for the drafting of a constitution and for free elections. The U.S. has already conducted a thorough assessment of our military and reconstruction needs in Iraq. (Pozner, 2003) As a rebuilding process is to begin, the U.S. will provide funds to help the people restore basic services such as electricity, water, new schools, roads, and medical clinics.

Rebuilding Iraq and the opposing factions inside are separated by the exterior armies which will help recognize where attacks