Blog #2: Debs and Monterio

Dana Kravitz

Reason for Invading Iraq

            In 2003 the American troops invaded Iraq, and it is still very controversial as to the true reason that the U.S. did so. Debs’ and Morterio’s article as well as Lake’s make very compelling points as to why the war happened but, overall I believe that Alex Debs and Nuno Morterio, in Known Unknowns: Power Shifts, Uncertainty, and War, had the strongest points. Morterio and Debs explain the reasons for war as the fear of Iraq’s nuclear weapons, America’s strong nationalism after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and the conflicting reports from the UN. Overall, the fear that Iraq induced, through many areas especially nuclear weapons, made America feel that invading Iraq was going to be well worth it.

            The United States thought they had reason to believe that Saddam was developing weapons of mass destruction. With an unstable country and leader the thought of this happening is extremely scary. The U.S. felt that attacking then was more cost efficient based on the fact that the possibility of having nuclear weapons was weak but would gain strength over time. This shows how the war was very fear based. Not about what happened on 9/11 or what was happening in Iraq but about could happen if they got nuclear power.

            The U.S. was especially sensitive to the idea of terrorists getting a hold of nuclear weapons. After 9/11 America was worried about another attack and it was not difficult to convince them that war was the best option because of the strong sense of nationalism at the time. The government as well as the population was fearful of these terrorist organizations. Though they did not know for sure whether they actually existed or not the fear of the WMD were enough to convince them. Debs and Morterio speak about the one percent doctrine.  “This doctrine suggests that, in the post-9/11 security environment, the United States must deal with ‘low-probability, high-impact’ events as if they were certain.” This again shows how in post 9/11 America, fear lead all decision making. Even though something occurring was not 100 percent certain, they treated it like it was just to be cautious.

            Even though inspectors from the UN were sent in to search for WMDs the results were still vague. The UN’s findings did not help the U.S. relinquish any fear. They wanted a definite no, and when they were given a maybe, the United States government did not feel that was sufficed. Though we later found out that they did not have nuclear weapons, the fear that it was a possibility was enough to send the U.S. into war.

            Monterio and Debs show how the war happened because of the possibility of Iraq’s nuclear weapons, the possibility of terrorists getting those nuclear weapons, and the confusing reports given about whether the nuclear weapons existed. Though the reason for war definitely had to do with nuclear weapons, it also was based on the fear of what could come instead of the facts that were actually happening. Being afraid can make anyone act irrationally, and the U.S. government, especially the Republicans, did not think safety was a risk worth taking. Personally I feel the war was not necessarily worth the cost but never the less, it took away some of Americas fear and I guess that is worth something.