Part II, 11 Iraq (2003 onwards)

Any effort to understand the conflict in Iraq that began in March 2003 must begin by considering events that occurred over a decade earlier. On 2 August 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait. Following a request for assistance from the Amir of Kuwait, numerous States began deploying military forces into the region pursuant to the law of self-defence, specifically collective defence, enshrined in article 51 of the United Nations Charter.1 After condemning the invasion as a ‘breach of international peace and security’ and demanding withdrawal,2 the Security Council mandated...