U.S. Government Objectives In Iraq
((PINR)) – On March 20, the United States began its military campaign against Iraq. The self-stated goal of this action is to
remove the current Iraqi government and replace it with a U.S.-friendly regime. Washington has also expressed its desire
to occupy Iraq until the Middle Eastern state is stable enough for self-government.
There are a variety of other objectives involved in this military action. Washington would like to remove a regime that
in the past has expressed its desire to become a regional power. If Iraq were to become a regional power, it would
weaken U.S. control in the region, as Iraq would have an increased ability to take actions opposed to U.S. interests.
The Gulf War in 1991 was a conflict meant to neuter the growing power of the Iraqi state.
In removing the Saddam Hussein government, the U.S. will be projecting its power further into the Middle East. Following
the ouster of Saddam, Washington will find it necessary to construct military bases in Iraq in order to handle U.S.
military activity in the post-war phase. This will follow the model successfully implemented in Afghanistan. With Iraq
as a new military launching point, the U.S. will find itself in an incredibly strategic location. Bordering six critical
states, Iraq is located at the heart of the Middle East.
Once military bases are active in Iraq, Washington will be able to reshape the Middle East, a term that has been used by
administration officials for the last decade. U.S. government officials have expressed their concern with the country of
Syria, which is located on Iraq's western border. Damascus has been in a constant state of conflict with Israel, an
important U.S. ally in the region and a country with which some officials in the administration strongly identify. Both
Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz and Defense Policy Board chairman Richard Perle have been involved in the
formation of Israeli foreign policy. Syria has also been accused by the Bush administration of taking actions counter to
U.S. interests. By having an amassed military on Syria's eastern border, Washington would be able to increase its
leverage in dealing with a recalcitrant Damascus.
In addition to Syria, Washington would be able to apply pressure more easily on Iraq's eastern neighbor, Iran. The Bush
administration has labeled Iran as part of an "axis of evil," and expressed concern over Iran's weapons program. In the
same way the U.S. will be able to increase their influence over Syria, Washington will also attempt to apply pressure on
Iran by establishing military bases within striking distance of Tehran. Moreover, Washington will greatly improve its
military logistics by being able to take military action from Iraqi bases, rather than having to negotiate airbase
rights with other states in the region.
This projection of power into the Middle East is the primary reason for invading Iraq. But in addition to increasing its
influence in the region, Washington will also be securing its control over the Middle Eastern oil supply. By
establishing a strong military presence, Washington will attempt to increase the stability of the oil supply in the
global market. The Bush administration believes that U.S. influence in the region will reduce the chances of an oil
shortage that would greatly damage the U.S. and other oil dependent economies.
Moreover, the oil lobby in the United States has sway with this administration. Many administration officials have prior
experience and service in the oil industry, such as National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice, Vice President Dick
Cheney and President Bush himself. Therefore, an invasion of Iraq would inevitably lead to contracts for the American
energy industry. Iraq's energy industry is currently in a state of disrepair; U.S. companies will be needed to
rehabilitate the industry along with possibly increasing national energy output. American companies have already been
bidding on contracts and soon the Bush administration will decide which companies to award with lucrative deals.
The Bush administration has also set a new precedent for U.S. foreign policy. By attacking Iraq without U.N. approval,
and devoid of support from traditional allies, the Bush administration has established a new international order where
the U.S. will take military action despite opposition from international institutions and multilateral arrangements.
These concerns all play an important role in the Bush administration's desire to invade Iraq and replace the Saddam
Hussein regime with a new government more beholden to U.S. interests.
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Erich Marquardt drafted this report.
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