U.S. Approach in Iraq vs Iran: Stark Contrast in Ally Engagement
Examining the stark differences in the U.S. approach to engaging allies in the Iraq war versus the Iran conflict, as the Pentagon's 'shock and awe' campaign opened the Iraq war.
As the U.S. military's ''shock and awe'' bombing campaign on March 20, 2003 ignited the Iraq war, a heavily guarded compound near Iraq's Ministry of Foreign Affairs along the Tigris River in Baghdad was set ablaze. This dramatic opening salvo stood in stark contrast to the U.S. government's efforts to rally global support and form a coalition of allies for the invasion of Iraq. In contrast, the U.S. approach to Iran has been markedly different, eschewing the coalition-building tactics employed in Iraq.
The decision to invade Iraq was a unilateral move by the U.S., with limited international backing. Whereas the 1991 Gulf War had a broad coalition of forces, the 2003 invasion of Iraq lacked the same level of global coordination and cooperation. Many longtime U.S. allies, such as France and Germany, staunchly opposed the war, highlighting the challenges the U.S. faced in garnering widespread support.
{{IMAGE_PLACEHOLDER}}Source: The New York Times
