We went into Iraq because Saddam Hussein had defied numerous UN resoultions concerning his disarmament and his refusal to allow weapons inspectors to ensure that all WMD had been destroyed. He refused to cooperate in good faith and therefore after 12 years the United States decided to intervene and remove him from power.

It really is that simple. UN Resoultion 1441 called for him to cooperate or face severe punishment including military action. When time came to back up that resoultion some countries like Russia, China and France which had pushed for the removal of UN sanctions back when Clinton was President refused to live up to the agreement and back the resoultion as they had signed it. But the UK, Spain, Italy, Australia and other countries supported the effort to enforce the resolution.

I don't support any post-war spin. Almost every intelligence unit in the world thought he still had biological and chemical weapons and that he was working on a secret nuclear program. Kerry said that over and over again in the late 90's and up until a few months ago.

The question is how did the worldwide intelligence services get it so wrong. Were they duped by someone other than the Iraqis. Was there a country that wanted the world to get rid of Saddam. If so who? The Iranians? The Israelis? That is the real mystery IMHO.

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"If you have the courage to begin, you have the courage to succeed." -- David Viscott