There are a lot of aspects of the war in Iraq that are unclear. Some ambiguity is over controversy other is over terms or specifics.
One question that comes up a lot is did the U.S declare war and if so when? Also when did the other countries acting as the united states allies consider themselves officially in the conflict. The united states has only officially declared war on a another nation five times in its history. The last time was world two. In the Iraq war the united states has not officially declared war. Instead they are “occupying” in order to reestablish order. And originally discover weapons of mass destruction. Over the course of the war many countries have joined the united states in the movement against Iraq. Originally the united states and the united kingdom invaded along with smaller forces from Australia Denmark and Poland (wiki 1). The united kingdom considered themselves and the united states officially at war with the united in march of 2003. There was no formal declaration of war on the united kingdoms part either. They just joined the united states in the invasion and occupation of Iraq.
There is also a lot of question over why there was an invasion in Iraq. Originally the reasoning was there were weapons of mass destruction. The united states offered information supporting the possible existence of weapons of mass destruction. The united kingdom also said they had information supporting the existence of weapons of mass destruction. Countries like France Russia and Germany reputed these claims saying that their intelligence had not picked up on any information supporting the U.S and U.K’s claims. The war then took on a turn as a movement to remove Saddam Hussein from power for various reasons ranging from alleged accusations connecting Hussein to Al Qaeda , to the supposed support of suicide bombers and finally resorting to blaming the government of violations against human rights. (wiki 1). After the government was taken out Saddam executed the united states continued work in Iraq to establish a democracy ultimately reestablish order. But while working to put things back in order more wave have been caused forcing the united states and allies to continue occupation in Iraq.
There are a lot of problems that have come up and the United States now had to contend with. The problem of the Sunnis and the Shiites is causing a lot of upsets in the United states occupation of Iraq. Most everyone knows there are two groups of Muslims and knows there is a difference between the two groups and they know that they don’t get along but for the most part people do not know where the origins of dispute stem from. They main conflict between the two groups is over religion. Both of their beliefs stem from Muhammad and they use the same book but they do not agree on is when what they Mahdi the “rightly guided one” will appear. Sunnis believe he has yet to come while Shiites believe he has been here and is in hiding. The groups also put emphasis on different parts of the Quran.(hnn 1.) Another misunderstanding about Sunnis and Shiites that often takes place is the some people believe that all of them cannot get along which is not true. For the most part Sunnis and Shiites get along just fine. It is the extremist in both groups that cause issues. It should also be noted that ninety percent of the Muslim nation is Sunni.
But the big question now is what to do over the war in Iraq. This war has been a movement from one issue to another. Once one problem is supposedly solved another comes up. What to do now is a question up for debate. After the surge statistics did show a reduction in violence in Iraq. Some people believe that it is over time to get out of Iraq, others believe leaving Iraq now would be a loss in all that has been gained. But that leads to the question what really has been gained in Iraq? The original government has been over thrown and a new one established. The number of acts of violence has been reduced. But there still is not peace, and the country of Iraq is still in shambles. The united states continued occupation is causing agitation on all parties. Where the war goes from here will depend a lot on the next president and how the other additions to the government chooses to handle it.
Works cited
The Public Whip.
Counting Votes On Your Behalf. www.thepublicwhip.com sept 19 2008
Wikipedia. Declaration of Iraq War. en.Wikipedia.org/wiki/declaration_of_war_the_united_states. Sept 19, 2008
“What is the Difference Between Sunni and Shiite Muslims and Why Does it Matter”
www.hnn.us/articles/934.html. Sept 19 2008.
