The Iraq War: Causes and Ramifications

The modern histories of the United States and Iraq are closely intertwined. This 8-minute video explores the relationship between the two countries in the context of the Iraq Wars.

In 1990, Iraq invaded its smaller neighbor, Kuwait. In response, a coalition of nations declared war on Iraq and restored Kuwait to independence. Economic sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council as punishment for Iraq’s annexation of Kuwait had major consequences on Iraqi society.

About a decade later, believing that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), a United States-led coalition invaded Iraq in 2003 and overthrew the government of Saddam Hussein. The Iraq wars have had large impacts on Iraqis, Americans, and the greater Middle East region.

Understanding the ramifications of the Iraq Wars on these groups provides insight into contemporary American policies in the Middle East and global international relations.

[thecomprehensionhub]

Thank you for sharing this point of view that I'm sure many are not aware of in the US

[larry]

I searched youtube for "ramifications of the us invasion of Iraq" and found this video, Very interesting. I am a US Veteran of the first gulf war. Please don't vilify me if you don't know me. I'm old enough to remember what happened. I hope you make a follow up video because I think there is much more to be told. In my mind, the invasion of Iraq led directly to the Caliphate, hundreds of thousand of deaths, displaced people and orphans, and global refugee crisis that continues to this day. As an American, I'm not here to apologize. I was just a young man without any concept of Iraq when I was involved. People hate others even though they don't know them. It is happening to a large degree in America today against our own neighbors. But the citizens of Iraq were not responsible for the invasion of Kuwait any more than people America had a choice about the invasion of Iraq. What I say here won't make much of a difference. The fighters will make a difference but probably not they bargained for. For the vast majority of us, the biggest difference we can make during our entire lives is simply simply how we treat each other every day.

[Perhapsawiseman]

It wasn't the best decision to invade, and it was an awful decision to leave. Saudi Arabia was the real enemy, and everyone knows it. Bush and Obama seriously messed that one up. Bush never should've agreed to pull troops out, and Obama shouldn't have allowed them to leave.

[jasonyu]

I thought the UN only put sanctions on the military, could u send me the link of where u found that they didn’t have any medicine supplies and stuff

[cragerzz]

They did have WMD. As did Iran they were chemical weapons!! WMD does not mean nuclear! And oil? Uh America produces more oil than any country on earth! All on American soil or sea! So oil is a pathetic thing to say

[parthsharma]

I remember when Saddam Hussein said to the judge
"I'm not defending myself im defending you Iraqis"
That man was right!

[megatherion]

Nouri Al-Maliki reminds me of a chicken sandwich