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| Picture Credit: Getty |
This section looks at the costs and consequences of the US-UK war. The military action not only aggravated the humanitarian crisis, but also engendered major economic, political, legal, military and strategic repercussions. Pre-war speculation (often exaggerated) here yields to post-war realities.
Though Saddam Hussein did not use weapons of mass destruction nor set fire to Iraq's oil fields nor attack Israel with rockets, and though the conflict was relatively short, the war has had many serious results ranging from death and destruction in Iraq to regional instability to a weakened world economy.
Humanitarian Crisis
With close to 4 million displaced people in and outside of Iraq, an average of about 100 people killed daily, and a third of the population living in poverty, Iraq 's humanitarian emergency has reached a crisis level that compares with some of the world's most urgent catastrophes.
Political Consequences
This section looks at the regional implications of the war and occupation in Iraq.
Economic Consequences
Since the 2003 invasion, the US has engineered policies to open the country up to foreign investors, disbanding various state-owned factories and enterprises; the IMF has imposed a package of economic reforms including an end to fuel, food, and health subsidies. The destruction of Iraq's economy has pushed unemployment levels as high as 60 percent.
Military Consequences
The US death toll in Iraq is climbing, the level of desertion is rising, and crippling illnesses like depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder afflict soldiers.
Destruction of Iraq's Cultural Heritage
During the war and occupation, the Coalition has failed to protect Iraq 's incomparable cultural heritage, exposing it to looters and art thieves. The National Library and the National Museum, along with many other important cultural institutions, were badly damaged and looted in the early days of the occupation.
International Law Aspects of the Iraq War and Occupation
This sections discuss the illegality of the 2003 war and subsequent occupation. It also looks at the violations of international law in Iraq and the question of immunity of the occupiers.
