War In Iraq Book Review
...The End of Iraq, a book about the United State’s invasion of Iraq and what to do about the situation now. Galbraith writes, “My purpose is to argue a course of action by which the United States can extricate itself from the mess in Iraq …this strategy should be based on U.S. interests and reflect the reality that Iraq has broken up in all but name.” Galbraith disagrees with American policies towards Iraq. In order to get us out of Iraq, Galbraith argues for the partition of Iraq into three separate states. Straightforward, tough, and at times over the top, The End of Iraq is an overall good read.
Today, Iraq is plagued by civil war, sectarian violence, death, destruction, and instability in the region. As the five-year anniversary of the war has come and gone, it could be argued that nothing substantial has yet to be accomplished. This is due in part by the US invasion of Iraq and a history of occupation by Western countries. Galbraith believes the Bush Administration went into Iraq without a plan. “...President Bush and his top advisors have consistently substituted wishful thinking for analysis and hope for strategy.” Appeasing Hussein was one of the first mistakes made in Iraq by the US.
Chapter Two details the history of the Iran-Iraq war and what it means to the current state of affairs. Galbraith introduces of two leader: Saddam Hussein, former President of Iraq and Ayatollah Tuhollah Khomeini, Iran’s supreme leader. Galbraith highlights not only the historic and political causes for the war, the vendetta Khomeini and Hussein had against each other, but also the ability of the United States to continue diplomatic relations with a dictator who was willing to use chemical weapons on his opponents. By continuing relations with a dictator who went against the 1925 Geneva Protocols ban of the use of chemical weapons, the US appeased Iraq. Motivated by...
View Full Essay
