U.S.-Iraq War Aftermath

Following the aftermath of the Second Gulf War or the U.S.-Iraq War, the bigger question that comes after learning of Saddam Hussein's oust from his leadership in Iraq is: where are the weapons of mass destruction (WMD)?

The presence of WMD is an essential proof for the U.S. that will prove how their offensive actions against Saddam is justified, i.e., Pres. Bush acted on the principle of protecting national and international security against Saddam's ambitions to reign in all the world' nations, particularly the Arab world. However, a recent article shows how the Bush administration had continually failed to show proof, even evidence, of the existence of these WMDs. Months after the attack, the Bush administration is 'under fire' for attacking Iraq based on 'unfounded' evidence and claims that the Saddam regime is manufacturing chemical, nuclear, and biological weapons. The New York Times published an article entitled, "U.S. Inspector sees much to pursue in Iraqi weapons search," wherein an American survey team discovered only trace evidences of plans to manufacture WMDs, and not evidence that will prove the existence of WMDs. As stated by reporter Brian Knowlton, "[h]is statement (Dr. Kay's statement, head of the survey team), however, referred largely to Iraq's potential, capacities and purported intentions to develop banned weapons, not to any weapons that were ready for use against American troops or others."

This article illustrate how the Bush administration have much to prove, and is pressured to prove that indeed, the war that cost thousands of innocent lives is justified by the recovery or discovery of these alleged weapons of mass destruction (WMD).

Bibliography

Knowlton, B. "U.S. Inspector sees much to pursue in Iraqi weapons search." 5 October 2003. The New York Times Online edition. Available at http://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/05/international/middleeast/05CND-WEAP.html?hp.