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Originally posted by rogue49
Despite some people desires otherwise neither UN nor NATO is the end all/be all in global or international decisions.
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Well, the endorsement of the UN would have added a certain legitimacy to the conflict that it never had, nor will it ever have. If any weapons of mass destruction were in fact found, or will ever be found, again, it would have added legitimacy. But I don't think they will ever find a thing.
Anyway, in 91, Bush Sr. had the backing of the UN.
This time round, that wasn't going to happen ever.
Bottom line from an international point of view, Iraq attacked no-one to prompt this war. How in all honesty could the UN sanction a war against Iraq? Based on what?
In the end, as much as you might not believe it, the UN did it's job and adhered to international law.
This war was part personal, part oil driven, part politically driven. I don't think it was ever driven by the noble intention of ridding the world of an evil dictator cause there are lots of them around. While I am happy that Saddam is gone (he was a murdering scumbag), there is no precident for attacking an independent country simply because you think that they might harm you in the future.
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Originally posted by rogue49
The Iraq action was taken on by mostly the US & UK, but there were other nations included in this.
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Yes, Australia, but most Australians, like most Brittons, can't for the life of them understand why. After that you are into Poland and Spain, and down from there. (Often called the coalition of the co-erced.)
Interestingly enough, only Chile in North or South America backed the US action, but Chile is heavily indebted to the USA and is high on the US foreign aid list. So why not. No other nation of the Americas backed this war.
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Originally posted by rogue49
In the end, the US "can" stand on it's own, if it thinks that it's the best course of action.
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Not really, if so, George Bush would have not gone to the UN on his knees looking for an international bail out. 1 year ago, the UN was "irrelevant". This year, we're all friends.
But i do agree with you on one point. America can NOT pull out now. It's too late for that. You started it, you better finish it.
One thing i sometimes wonder about. When WW2 ended, did the Germans continue killing Allied soldiers for 8 months after hostilities ended????
I don't think so, but i could be wrong.