March 20, 2023, marked the 20th anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, an event that dramatically reshaped the Middle East and left a profound impact on global geopolitics. The invasion, initially framed as an effort to disarm Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and dismantle Saddam Hussein’s ties to terrorism, quickly descended into a calamity that would have far-reaching consequences for the region and the world. As the world reflects on two decades of chaos, the question remains: What really happened, and why have those responsible for the war’s devastating outcomes not been held accountable?
The Prelude to War: From Gulf War to 9/11
The roots of the 2003 invasion can be traced back to the first Gulf War in 1990-1991, when Iraq, under Saddam Hussein, invaded Kuwait. The international community, led by the United States, quickly responded with a military coalition that expelled Iraqi forces from Kuwait and left Saddam’s regime severely weakened. While Iraq was subject to harsh sanctions after the war, Saddam Hussein remained in power.
However, it wasn’t until the tragic events of September 11, 2001, that the U.S. government, led by President George W. Bush, began to rethink its approach to Iraq. The attacks, carried out by al-Qaeda, led to the declaration of the “War on Terror,” and in the aftermath, the U.S. administration began to link Saddam Hussein’s regime to terrorism, despite no concrete evidence that Iraq had been involved in the 9/11 attacks.
The Bush administration, along with key figures like Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, was increasingly fixated on regime change in Iraq. The administration began to publicly assert that Saddam was harboring weapons of mass destruction and that Iraq had ties to terrorist organizations, including al-Qaeda. These claims, coupled with the fear of weapons falling into the hands of terrorists, became the core justification for the invasion.
March 20, 2023, marked the 20th anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, a pivotal event that dramatically reshaped the Middle East and left a lasting mark on global geopolitics. What began as an effort to disarm Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and dismantle Saddam Hussein’s ties to terrorism quickly spiraled into a catastrophe with far-reaching consequences. As the world reflects on the two decades of chaos and disruption, the question remains: What really happened, and why have those responsible for the war’s devastating outcomes not been held accountable?
Key Figures Behind the Iraq War
1. George W. Bush – U.S. President (2001-2009)
- Role in the Invasion: As the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush was the primary architect of the Iraq War. Under his leadership, the U.S. invaded Iraq in 2003, arguing that Saddam Hussein’s regime was developing weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and had ties to terrorist organizations like al-Qaeda. The Bush administration presented this war as part of the broader “War on Terror,” following the September 11 attacks.
- What He Did: Bush authorized the military intervention, and in the buildup to the war, his administration heavily promoted the false narrative that Iraq possessed WMDs, which were never found. His decision to invade, despite significant international opposition, set the stage for decades of instability in Iraq and the broader region.
- Where Is He Now: After leaving office in 2009, George W. Bush retired from politics, moving to his home in Dallas, Texas. He has largely refrained from public political engagement, focusing instead on his work with the Bush Institute, a think tank that focuses on global leadership and health. While his presidency remains controversial, Bush has publicly expressed regret over the handling of post-invasion Iraq, particularly regarding the failure to find WMDs.
2. Dick Cheney – U.S. Vice President (2001-2009)
- Role in the Invasion: As Vice President under George W. Bush, Dick Cheney was one of the most vocal advocates for the Iraq War. Cheney, a former Secretary of Defense (1989-1993), pushed the narrative that Saddam Hussein had WMDs and could potentially deploy them against the U.S. or its allies. Cheney’s links to the defense industry, especially through his prior role as CEO of Halliburton, a company that would later receive government contracts related to the war, led to accusations of conflicts of interest.
- What He Did: Cheney played a key role in lobbying for war, famously stating that Iraq’s WMDs were a “serious and present danger.” His aggressive stance was central to pushing the U.S. into military action. His influence within the administration meant that dissenting voices were often sidelined, particularly those from intelligence agencies and military experts who questioned the justification for war.
- Where Is He Now: Cheney has largely stayed out of the political spotlight since leaving office, although he remains a strong critic of the Obama administration’s foreign policy. He has been active in promoting conservative values through his public speaking engagements. In 2021, his daughter Liz Cheney, a Republican Congresswoman, became a vocal critic of President Donald Trump, aligning herself with Cheney’s own brand of hawkish conservatism.
3. Donald Rumsfeld – U.S. Secretary of Defense (2001-2006)
- Role in the Invasion: As Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld was another pivotal figure in the Iraq War. Rumsfeld advocated for a rapid, decisive military strategy that would quickly remove Saddam Hussein from power. His vision of a “light footprint” invasion, relying on a smaller military force with fewer ground troops, has been widely criticized for underestimating the challenges of stabilizing Iraq after Saddam’s removal.
- What He Did: Rumsfeld was a driving force behind the war strategy, and his decisions regarding troop levels and post-invasion governance were disastrous. He was instrumental in the decision to disband the Iraqi military and the Ba’athist party, which fueled widespread insurgency and sectarian violence.
- Where Is He Now: Donald Rumsfeld passed away in 2021 at the age of 88. After leaving the Pentagon, Rumsfeld remained a significant figure in conservative circles, publishing his memoirs and engaging in public speaking. His legacy is marked by deep criticism, especially concerning the mismanagement of the post-war occupation of Iraq.
4. Colin Powell – U.S. Secretary of State (2001-2005)
- Role in the Invasion: Colin Powell, serving as Secretary of State, was tasked with garnering international support for the Iraq War. He famously presented the U.S. case for war at the U.N. Security Council in February 2003, using satellite imagery and intercepted communications to claim that Saddam Hussein was hiding WMDs.
- What He Did: Powell’s U.N. speech was a critical moment in the build-up to the invasion. He later admitted that the intelligence he presented was flawed and that he felt misled by the intelligence community. Powell became a vocal critic of the war’s aftermath, acknowledging that the failure to find WMDs was a key moment in his regret over the invasion.
- Where Is He Now: Powell passed away in October 2021 due to complications from COVID-19. Despite his public remorse over the Iraq War, Powell remained a respected figure in U.S. politics for his service during the Gulf War and his efforts to represent American diplomacy on the world stage. His legacy, however, remains heavily tarnished by his role in justifying the Iraq invasion.
5. Tony Blair – U.K. Prime Minister (1997-2007)
- Role in the Invasion: As Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Tony Blair was a staunch ally of President Bush and played a key role in securing Britain’s participation in the Iraq War. Blair framed the war as necessary to remove Saddam Hussein’s weapons of mass destruction and to promote democracy in the region.
- What He Did: Blair’s decision to join the U.S. in the invasion was deeply controversial in the U.K., especially after no WMDs were found. Blair faced criticism for aligning so closely with Bush, and the 2003 Chilcot Inquiry concluded that the decision to go to war was based on flawed intelligence and that the war had not been justified by the facts.
- Where Is He Now: Blair has remained involved in global issues post-premiership, focusing on international development through his Tony Blair Institute for Global Change. While his post-war career has been dedicated to issues like combating extremism and promoting economic growth in Africa, his legacy remains marred by his role in the Iraq War.
The Build-Up: Manipulating Intelligence and International Relations
Leading up to the invasion in 2003, the U.S. administration pushed a narrative based on faulty intelligence. Despite skepticism from within the intelligence community and international allies, the Bush administration selectively used intelligence reports to build its case for war. Key intelligence, such as the purported discovery of Iraq’s WMDs, was later revealed to be exaggerated or entirely fabricated.
In his famous 2003 address to the United Nations, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell made a compelling case for war, showing satellite images and presenting “evidence” of Iraq’s WMD capabilities. However, Powell would later express regret for his role in selling the war to the public, acknowledging that the intelligence used to justify the invasion was flawed. Despite doubts from U.S. allies, including the United Kingdom and France, the Bush administration pushed forward, securing approval for military action from Congress but facing resistance from the United Nations Security Council.
The Invasion and the Fallout: A Broken Iraq
On March 20, 2003, the U.S. and its allies launched “Operation Iraqi Freedom.” The invasion was swift; Baghdad fell within weeks, and Saddam Hussein’s government was toppled. However, what followed was far from the promised peace and stability.
The decision to disband the Iraqi military and dissolve the Ba’athist government left a power vacuum that would lead to chaos and violence. Iraq, once a relatively stable and secular country, descended into a bitter civil war. Ethnic and sectarian tensions, long suppressed under Saddam’s brutal rule, erupted into open conflict. Sunni insurgents battled Shia militias, and Kurdish forces in the north sought to solidify their autonomy. The absence of a central governing authority allowed criminal organizations and terrorist groups to proliferate.
At the same time, the human toll was devastating. The war caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis, while millions more were displaced. The violence that erupted left entire cities in ruins, and Iraq’s infrastructure—already damaged by years of war and sanctions—collapsed. The United States, with no clear post-war plan, struggled to stabilize the country.
In 2014, the rise of ISIS in Iraq and Syria marked a new chapter of violence. The U.S. invasion, intended to bring democracy and stability, instead paved the way for the emergence of one of the most brutal terrorist organizations in modern history. The legacy of the Iraq War continued to haunt the region as ISIS took control of vast territories in Iraq, further destabilizing the country.
The Missing Accountability
Twenty years later, the consequences of the Iraq War are still evident, yet the individuals who orchestrated the invasion have faced little to no accountability. George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, Tony Blair, and other key figures in the administration have largely escaped prosecution or significant political consequences.
In the years following the invasion, several high-ranking officials, including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, were called to account. Blair’s role in the war was scrutinized by the Chilcot Inquiry, a British public inquiry into the war. The inquiry concluded that Blair had overstated the threat posed by Saddam Hussein and failed to fully consider the consequences of war. Despite these findings, Blair has continued to defend the invasion, arguing that removing Saddam Hussein was justified. Yet, for the millions affected by the war, this defense rings hollow.
Meanwhile, in the U.S., President Bush’s public image remained largely intact, and his administration’s failure to find WMDs was downplayed by many in the media and political establishment. Despite widespread criticism and the loss of American and Iraqi lives, there has been no formal legal reckoning for those who initiated and championed the war.
The lack of accountability raises troubling questions about the role of political leaders in shaping global conflicts. In the absence of genuine accountability, the Iraq War stands as a stark reminder of the power held by those who make decisions on war and peace, and the disastrous consequences of those decisions on ordinary people.
The Long-Term Consequences: Regional Instability and Global Disillusionment
The destabilization of Iraq and the broader Middle East has had lasting global effects. Iraq, once a proud and powerful nation in the Arab world, remains fractured. The U.S. intervention fueled regional rivalries, drawing in neighboring powers like Iran and Saudi Arabia, both of which have been involved in Iraq’s internal struggles. The rise of sectarian violence in the region has also emboldened extremist groups, including al-Qaeda and ISIS, whose devastating campaigns have exacerbated the suffering of millions.
On a global scale, the invasion of Iraq undermined the credibility of the U.S. as a champion of democracy and human rights. The justification for the war—founded on the false premise of WMDs—left many questioning the legitimacy of U.S. foreign policy and its motivations for military interventions.
Furthermore, the war created a power vacuum in Iraq that continues to fuel political instability, economic hardship, and the displacement of millions. While the war officially ended in 2011 with the withdrawal of U.S. forces, Iraq’s recovery has been slow and fraught with setbacks. The country remains plagued by corruption, insufficient infrastructure, and a fragile political system that struggles to represent its diverse population.
Conclusion: The Reckoning That Never Came
As Iraq marks two decades since the invasion, it is important to reflect on the lessons that should have been learned from this war. The Iraq War was not just a military failure—it was a diplomatic, moral, and humanitarian disaster. The U.S. and its allies, under false pretenses, committed to a war that has scarred the Middle East for generations. Yet, despite the enormous human and political costs, those responsible for initiating the conflict have avoided meaningful accountability.
For Iraq and its people, the wounds of the war are far from healed. The world must confront the uncomfortable truth: the invasion of Iraq, based on lies and misguided assumptions, not only failed its people but also triggered a cascade of disasters that continue to reverberate. As we remember the 20th anniversary, it is essential to ask: What will it take for those who orchestrated this war to face the consequences of their actions? The legacy of Iraq, and the lasting question of accountability, must not be forgotten.
