Iraq: Divergent Views on Military Action

Publication Date: March 2003

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Military and defense

Type:

Coverage: Iraq

Abstract:

Officials of the Bush Administration believe military action against Iraq became necessary to eliminate threats posed by the Iraqi regime to the U.S. and international communities. In October 2002, Congress passed a joint resolution (H.J.Res. 114) giving the President authority to use force if necessary to eliminate threats posed by Saddam Hussein's Iraq. Some Members of Congress, commentators, and members of the international community questioned the Administration's rationale for military action or suggested delaying it to allow U.N. weapons inspectors more time to complete their findings in Iraq.

This report summarizes arguments that were advanced by the Administration and by critics of the Administration's position before the war with Iraq was launched on March 19, 2003. This report will not be updated. For further reading, see CRS Report RL31339, Iraq: U.S. Efforts to Change the Regime, by Kenneth Katzman. Also, CRS Report RL31756, Iraq: The Debate Over U.S. Policy, by Richard P. Cronin, provides further background on the policy debate through February 2003.