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Iraq

President Clinton's Decision to Launch Military Strikes Against Iraq

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

On December 19, 1998, President Bill Clinton addressed the nation to explain his decision to order military strikes against Iraq, citing the need to protect America's interests and prevent Saddam Hussein from developing nuclear, poison gas, biological weapons, and missiles. The strikes aimed to degrade Saddam's capacity to develop and deliver weapons of mass destruction and threaten the region.

Key Takeaways:

  • The primary motivation for the military strikes was to protect America's interest by preventing Saddam Hussein from developing nuclear, poison gas, biological weapons, and missiles.
  • Saddam Hussein had repeatedly hindered and prevented inspections by the United Nations weapons inspectors, despite threats of force, and had used terrible weapons against soldiers, neighbors, and civilians.
  • For 7 1/2 years, the United Nations weapons inspectors had done a remarkable job in forcing Saddam to disclose and destroy weapons he insisted he did not have, but over the past year, Saddam had blocked their efforts.
  • President Clinton canceled an American military action last month when Saddam agreed to fully cooperate, but later forced the inspectors to conclude that they could no longer do their vital job.
  • The mission was to degrade Saddam's capacity to develop and deliver weapons of mass destruction and threaten the region.
  • Based on reports from the Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and the CIA Director, President Clinton believed the mission was going well.
  • The long-term strategy was to use force again if Saddam took threatening action, work with the international community to keep sanctions in place, and continue to support the ongoing program to provide humanitarian supplies to the people of Iraq.
  • The sanctions had cost Saddam more than $120 billion, resources he would have devoted to rebuilding his weaponry.

Statistics:

  • 7 1/2 years since Saddam Hussein has been repeatedly compelled to disclose and destroy Iraqi weapons.
  • $120 billion: the amount of savings Saddam Hussein would have gained if not for the international sanctions.

Sources:

  • "Good morning. As I speak to you, America's men and women in uniform and our British allies are fighting for security, peace, and freedom in the Persian Gulf." (no source cited)
  • [No specific source cited]

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