U.S - IRAQ Relationship since 2003 - 10175 Words

U.S - IRAQ Relationship since 2003 (Dissertation Sample) Content: LESSONS LEARNT FROM THE U.S’S CURRENT RELATIONSHIP WITH IRAQ - 2003 By (Author) Name of the Class (Course) Professor (Tutor) Name of the School (University) City Date Abstract The relationship between Iraq and the United States serves as a lesson on different diplomatic ideas and the underlying socio-economic and political ideologies. Various scholars have in the past shed light on the sociological aspects of the existing relationship after the decade long invasion and occupancy of Iraq by United States. Theoretical concepts of international relations will be explored to unveil the true picture of U.S – Iraq interaction aftermath. In the interest of researchers, academia and political science, it is imperative that this case is given critical assessment. This issue presents an avenue of intellectual discourse concerning the diverse disciplines that discuss international relations. In view of the social structure, economic policies and political strategies, this debate covers substantial research ideas that are important to ascertain the validity and credibility of existing knowledge. CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION Background The United States’ stay in Iraq has been on the global spotlight for over a decade. The question that people keep asking is the consequences this has on their relations. Apart from Iraq, United States interest in the Middle East has raised eyebrows leading to in-depth research on various dimensions (Lake, 2009, 19). The Geopolitics of Middle East has been a significant contributor to its overall influence in the global economy. However, its socio-economic policies and political system has been the subject of discussion. Iraq wields a lot of power in the region, and its political ideologies were being seen as a threat by the west. It is not a matter of retelling the chronology of the United States' invasion of Iraq, but the impacts this has on the global socio-economic and political position America occupy. According to Christol (2004, 47-9), diverse acts of atrocities under the guise of setting the new global order of democracy wa s met with mixed reactions by Middle East countries and Iraq in particular. In this research, it is paramount to note that the raging debate on the theoretical concepts surrounding diplomatic relations is the center stage for international peace agreements. According to Tate (2010, 128-9), the traditional mentality that international relations were limited to particular disciplines is ruled out. This explains the need to break away from the confines of philosophy, sociology and economics as the only relevant disciplines exploring diplomatic ties. International relations theories should equally not be misconstrued as solely for academia. This means it should be given much attention as it plays a critical role in mutual understandings in, cross boundary relationships especially in this wake of open economies. The current relationship between United States and Iraq offers a lot of lessons on the feasibility of tested theories concerning international relations. It reflects the compl ex international interactions that are characterized by divergent socio-economic and political ideologies. Kenneth N. Waltz is one of the scholars who assert the fact that diplomatic history has been marred with elitist decision making. Statement of the Problem . Waltz roots for empirical testability of the existing knowledge and on falsifications as a methodological ideal, which, as he admits, can have only a limited application in international relations. The case of US attack on Saddam Hussein and subsequent changes in approaches of managing Iraq indicates two sides of international relations theories. These include realism and idealism key in defining the relations among states and U.S – Iraq in particular. A realist theory can be seen as a tradition of speculation about the society or states. However, in international relations the realist theory is based on emphasizing the constraints imposed on politics by the nature of human beings (Ikenberry, et al. 2009, 93). T he realists belief that national self-interest mandate nations to constantly demand power for the purpose of security and existence. Hans Morgenthau is of the opinion that power is the undisputable feature which determines states policy on both foreign and domestic policies. The realist theory is also known as the power or traditional theory which is centered on power politics. It is concerned with an explanation of what happened, how it happened which is used to predict the trend of what to happen in the future. The lessons observable from the case of the U.S – Iraq relationship triggers further research into the theories that must be discussed to boost the increasing need for an International Corporation. According to Brennan (2013, 139-40), United States wield political and economic power and therefore play a central role in making decisions on global issues. The capitalism ideology has seen the America make several attempts sink the communism, and this was the disguised intention of America. Military intervention by the U.S in most of its operation in the Middle East has significantly tainted its image in the international platform. Fingers point at neoconservatives who were well connected as the key architects behind the Iraq war. In regard to Guney (2007, 64), there was a political motive behind the lobbying with economic strategies. It is worth to note the involvement of many U.S presidents during their long stay of U.S military operatives in Iraq. The intertwining realism versus idealism approach dictates the perception of various people towards the U.S on how they handled Iraq. CHAPTER II: LITERATURE REVIEW In respect of all facts towards the US relationship with Iraq, a lot of historical statistics can be established. Considering the deteriorating power of the U.S in 1972 as it was losing the battle to the Vietnam, the same may hold for the case of Iraq. The ensuing scenario compelled President Richard Nixon to create an entente which was meant to deal with Soviet Union using China. Although this approach worked, concerns were raised over U.S alliance with such a genocidal Chinese government. In the words of Ryan & Kiely (2009, 351-2) this case is an equivalence of the U.S strategy of using neighbouring countries to Iraq like Iran to manage it. This was a case of idealism approach that actually cost the U.S as the global view of the unfolding event was that of using military power to prove a point. All the above cases presented a dilemma to the United States. The attempt to reconcile morals with ideals was difficult. Political scientists noted that it was prudent for U.S to form an alliance with China, Russia or Britain, but this was likely to taint d'etre raison for the administration of U.S. The other side of the argument fronted for moral regime would only be available when the regime itself was existing. This event exposed the diverse strategies of the U.S to defend its socio-economic and political position in the world against the rising influence of Nazi and the existing Soviet Union. The case of Saddam’s increasing influence in the 1990’s, in the Middle East had begun to shake U.S in a similar way, and this must have been initiated sensitivity towards Iraq. Another school of thought refers to United States past records in international relations like in the case of Soviet Union, Britain and china. It is apparent that US had to manage Iraq with allied support of some countries in the Middle East. The ironical twist over this incident was that such allied states are always morally incongruent with U.S. This is the underlying truth in the case of Saudi Arabia’s pivotal role in boosting operation of U.S. against the AL Qaeda. On this basis, Iraqi problem was seen as normal and justified. Critical evaluation of the arguments registered by various entities to this effect leaves one clear indication that Iraq invasion by United States was valid. The opinion of Feldman (2003, 41) is that there was an extension of the discussion that Middle East democracy would only be achieved through the United States approach. The finite nature of American power necessitated the support by other countries in its attempt to eliminate Jihadists. This i s a supportive idea to the fact that foreign engagement in some cases depending on the circumstance may require back up by other states. The Muslim Radicals in Iraq were many and neighbouring states input is required in terms of military training ground, strategic planning and intelligence services. One lesson that was learnt from this incident is United States’ inability to overthrow regimes while at the same time courting alliance. Idealism approach assertion that a country cannot continue its moral policies while pursuing economic and physical security is trivial. In some circumstances, security demands power which is always entangled in corruption. Besides, seeking justice without sufficient force may turn tables against the country. All these facts indicate that American must just have its military force in its fingertips and use it when situations arise. In this respect, U.S involvement in the Middle East was likely to be interrupted with poor democracy in Iraq hence i ts use of military force. After all, in the socio-political history, there are claims that sometimes war can come to an individual even without igniting it. The situation of America in Iraq exposed it to two mandatory moral losses i.e. annihilation or an opportunistic corruption. Meernik (2004, 120) asserts that the political leadership does not offer the luxury of thinking about fair decision making. Even not taking action is considered a decision in the political sense. A critical assessment of the respective regimes of George Washington, Franklin Roosevelt, and Richard Nixon to Barrack Obama only explores one doctrine. Long term goals are the...