Radio Smart Talk: Iraq War 10th anniversary

Radio Smart Talk for Friday, March 8:

The United States and its allies launched the war on Iraq on March 19, 2003 — 10 years ago this month.

Former President George W. Bush and others in his administration believed that Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction. Bush saw the military action as a preemptive strike, pointing out that Saddam had killed thousands of Kurds with chemical weapons in northern Iraq years before.

No WMD’s were ever found, which frustrated many people who thought the U.S. had gone to war on false pretenses.

Saddam was deposed, tried for crimes against his own people, and executed.

Administration officials thought the Iraqi people would welcome American intervention. Instead, sectarian violence and insurgents frustrated the American military and politicians. Almost 4500 troops died in Iraq.

Many mistakes were made along the way, including poor planning for a post-war Iraq.

Progress wasn’t realized until more troops were sent to Iraq and counterinsurgency tactics used.

Today, combat operations have ended in Iraq and troops have been drawn down.

On Friday’s Radio Smart Talk, we’ll hear from Dr. Conrad C. Crane, who is chief of Historical Services for the Army Heritage and Education center at the Carlisle Barracks. Dr. Crane co-wrote a manualon fighting insurgents that was used to help end the war.

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