US-Iraq/war/justifications

List of Justifications

In justifying the US invasion of Iraq, George W. Bush claimed:

• (a) that there was strong evidence of WMDs, when it seems clear that there was none and that this was well known to Bush and his closest advisors at the time the claims were made [?] (Incomplete argument: Bush certainly seemed determined to invade Iraq whether or not evidence was found, but although this indicates dishonesty it does not prove that he actually knew there were none; it just proves that he didn't care.)
• (b) that Iraq had refused to allow UN inspectors (see [1], final paragraph) to confirm their claimed lack of WMDs, when in fact Iraq did allow the inspectors in and the inspectors had found nothing. ("In 2002, the commission began searching Iraq for weapons of mass destruction, ultimately finding none." [W] and "The Iraqi government did what it was required in the 1441 resolution and presented a report of its weapons. The US government claimed that the report was false for not recognizing having the WMDs. It announced the invasion in the Spring of 2003." [W])
• (c) that Iraq was connected to the 9/11 attacks (for which there is no evidence):
  • 2003-03-21 Letter to Congress: "The use of armed forces against Iraq is consistent with the United States and other countries continuing to take the necessary actions against international terrorists and terrorist organizations, including those nations, organizations or person who planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001."
  • 2006-03-20 President Discusses War on Terror and Operation Iraqi Freedom: "First, just if I might correct a misperception, I don't think we ever said