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Discussion Papers

Media Reporting of the War September 8, 2003
Some particular reporting of this war has itself been the subject of intense scrutiny. Conflict in Iraq teamed up with Reporting the World to hold a Roundtable in July with key members of the UK media to discuss war reporting. Jake Lynch of Reporting the World draws out conclusions.

The United States & Nation-building: path to democracy or hegemony?  September 4, 2003
Clear solutions in Iraq given the deteriorating security situation appear particularly elusive. Former US Ambassador Bob Barry applies his extensive nation-building experience in Bosnia to appeal for a more considered response that has stamina behind it.

Life with food from oil:  what next for Iraqi people?  April 17, 2003
The prime issue facing the international community is how best to distribute humanitarian aid, and what structures are most appropriate for reconstruction.  Christoph Wilcke, Middle East expert and member of the Conflict in Iraq Advisory Panel, takes a critical look at plans already on the table, and consequences for the people of Iraq.

The Iraq conflict and the future of Europe, March 21, 2003
The war with Iraq coincides with crucial discussions over the future of Europe. Glenys Kinnock MEP looks at the thorny issues involved for the international institutions concerned, and concludes that the move towards a common foreign, security and defence policy is more important now than ever.

Asymmetric risks and war with Iraq, March 11, 2003
DK Matai, Chairman and CEO of mi2g, points to one of the rarely-discussed costs of conflict within the Middle East and broader asymmetric warfare framework, namely digital attacks, that have mushroomed in number over the last year or two, and that correlate closely with the rise in global and regional conflict.

Not prepared to win peace in Iraq, March 7, 2003
Robert Barry, retired US foreign service officer and Ambassador and former head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, outlines why we require a realistic assessment of the needs in a post-Saddam Iraq before going to war. The costs, and the risks, have not been sufficiently considered. The commitment to a lasting peace in the region demands answers to a number of difficult questions.

Iraqi Perspective on Regime Change, February 21, 2003.  
Iraqi Mundher Adhami, from the Education and Professional Studies department at Kings College London, offers a personal opinion on the current situation. The impact of inspectors upon the ability of the regime to execute human rights abuses has until now been underestimated. So too has the potential of the professional and middle classes to challenge the regime, not necessarily head on, but in providing an alternative power base. Regime change may be achieved without a recourse to all-out war.

Iraq -Broadening The Agenda, February 19, 2003.  
News coverage about the prolonged  build-up to a possible US-led attack on Iraq has been more diverse and critical than in any comparable recent case. But there are still persistent omissions and distortions which owe more to unexamined journalistic conventions than to any deliberate attempt to mislead  There is now an urgent need for journalists to identify these conventions and, where appropriate,  to suspend or sidestep them in favour of a more creative news agenda.

Iraq: The Crisis Deepens, January 28, 2003.  Air Marshal Sir Timothy Garden (Visiting Professor at the Centre for Defence Studies at Kings College, London, and former Director Royal Institute for International Affairs, Chatham House).

Troops are amassing on the boarders of Iraq, presenting a very real threat to Saddam Hussein. The US is pressing for international support behind its imminent initiation of military action, but appears ready to go it alone.  Tim Garden considers the options open to the major players, the consequence of this focus for the war on terror, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and other intractable problems. Have we got our focus right?

Web Notes

Key Reports

This report goes into the evidence available publicly before the war that demonstrates it is no surprise that no weapons of mass destruction have been found in Iraq since hostilities ceased, and that either there had been a worst-case scenario interpretation of intelligence or that there had been an orchestrated attempt by political elements within the Bush and Blair Administrations to embellish intelligence to fit with their preconceived interpretations and to justify the declaration of war.

This guide provides concise background information on post-war reconstruction, on the unique challenges presented by Iraq, and on the implications of the new UN Security Council Resolution, SC Res. 1483.

International physicians warn that the use of nuclear bunker busters in Iraq could result in thousands of radiation victims.  A new study released by the IPPNW and an expert team on medical consequences of earth-penetrating weapons (EPW) warns of fatal doses of radiation in tens of thousands of victims.

  • Iraq: the Regional Fallout  Published by Royal Institute for International Affairs February 2003.

    It is all too easy to rush into action, when there are complex and sensitive relationships across the region. This report considers some of the possible consequences of a war with Iraq on regional and national politics across the Middle East, and explains the concerns and motivations in reaction to the threat of US military action.
     

  • The Economic Costs of a War in Iraq  Published by Brookings Institute on March 7, 2003.

    The costs of war in Iraq vary wildly, depending upon the assumptions made. The impact upon government budgets and increased military spending is likely to be dwarfed by larger impacts on the overall economy, arising from uncertainty and impacts on oil prices.
     

  • Would an Invasion of Iraq Be a "Just War"?  Published by the United States Institute for Peace, January 2003.

There is a long tradition of 'Just War' principles, but how do they apply to the present situation? ... and how important are such principles to decision-makers as they face critical choices in the weeks ahead?

  • Iraq Policy Briefing: Is There an Alternative to War?  Published by the International Crisis Group on February 24, 2003.

    Although many in the international community are opposed to war, there are not many viable alternatives being offered.  It is clear that doing nothing is not an option, but what are the alternatives to war?
     

  • Iraq and the Failures of Democracy , Richard Falk and David Krieger.  Published by the Transnational Foundation for Peace and Future Research on February 24, 2003.

    As September 11, 2001 changed the face of US Foreign Policy and has forced decision makers to consider moral and defence situations with regards to policies.  September 11 was a test of American democracy.  Democracy that is now in question as the road is paved for an unwanted and unnecessary war with Iraq. 
     

  • Democratic Mirage in the Middle East, Marina Ottaway, Thomas Carothers, Amy Hawthorne, and Dan Brumberg.  Published by the Carnegie Endowment for Peace.

    The desire of Washington to topple Saddam Hussein and democratize Iraq is a far-reaching fantasy.  The history of the US government to invade a country and to install a lasting peace is weak, and that in conjunction with the questionable resolve of the Bush Administration may make democracy as difficult as desirable in the Middle East.
  • Iraq: What Next?, Joseph Cirincione, Jessica T. Mathews and George Perkovich, January 03, 2003

    Iraq: What Next? details concerns over Iraq’s weapons capabilities and assesses the status of inspections. In brief Q&A format, it addresses the effectiveness of intelligence sharing, site visits, use of technology, and Iraq's willingness to cooperate. Far from being exhausted, the report concludes, the inspections process has just begun, and must be allowed a realistic timeframe--without ruling out future use of force. With Saddam Hussein currently under close watch, there is no need for a rush to war.

  • A Wiser Peace, An Action Strategy for a Post-Conflict Iraq, by Frederick Barton and Bathsheba Crocker, CSIS, January 20, 2003

    Outlines 10 key actions that the United States and the United Nations must take before the conflict starts in order to strengthen Iraq's security, governance, justice system and economy.

  • A Wiser Peace Supplement 1

    Background Information on Iraq's Financial Obligations

  • Collatoral Damage, The health and environmental costs of war on Iraq, by Jane Salvage, Medact

    This analysis of the previous, ongoing and likely future conflict with Iraq spells out the potentially enormous humanitarian costs of waging war. It would mean disaster for the Iraqi population, in both the short and long term, and would cause much harm further afield. This evidence-based report draws on best estimates, and concludes with a summary of the alternatives to war. Its value base is that of Medact – an organisation of doctors, nurses and other health professionals undertaking education, research and advocacy on the health impacts of violent conflict, environmental degradation and poverty.

  • Iraq's Declaration on Weapons of Mass Destruction, Transcript of a Press Briefing at the Brookings Institution with Martin S. Indyk, Kenneth Pollack, David Kay and Michael O'Hanlon

    A discussion on the progress of weapons inspections, and on the military options facing the US in December 2002

  • The US, the Gulf, and the Middle East, by Anthony H. Cordesman, CSIS

    A paper that demonstrates that the US depends heavily upon outcomes in the Middle East when it comes to oil. Denials of such dependency are silly. It provides a wealth of source material and information for those interested in the issue.

  • Deadly Arsenals, by Joseph Cirincione with Jon B. Wolfsthal and Miriam Rajkumar, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

    Deadly Arsenals provides the most comprehensive assessment available on the dangers nations face today from weapons of mass destruction, and the successes and failures of international nonproliferation efforts. This proliferation atlas documents with maps, charts, and graphs the spread of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons and missile delivery systems. The book describes the weapons and the regimes that try to control them, and details the countries that have, want, or have given up weapons of mass destruction. This chapter focuses on Iraq.

For a wealth of information on inspections, cost of war, impact on the energy sector, on the war on terrorism, on the order of battle and on post-conflict Iraq, see resources at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)

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