Important Events of the 2000s: The Iraq War

The Iraq War, also known as the Second Persian Gulf War, was a conflict in Iraq that lasted from 2003-2011.  The first phase of the war lasted from March to April 2003, during which a combined force of troops from the US and Great Britain invaded Iraq and quickly defeated their forces.  This phase was followed by a longer one in which a US-led occupation of Iraq was opposed by an insurgency. 
The attacks on Iraq were the result of the 9/11 attacks and President George W. Bush's believe that Iraq possessed and manufactured weapons of mass destruction and that the country supported al-Qaeda.  The United Nations passed a resolution in 2002 that demanded that Iraq allow weapons inspectors into the country.  However, when it became clear that Iraq was not complying with the resolution, President Bush issued an ultimatum to the Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein, that he leave the country within 48 hours.  When he refused to leave, US and allied forces launched an attack on March 20, 2003.  Less than a month later, the last major stronghold in Iraq fell and President Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1.  Iraqi leaders fled into hiding.  Hussein was eventually captured by US forces on December 13, 2003. 
The Iraq War is considered controversial and the Bush administration was criticized for its alleged mishandling of the occupation of Iraq.  In addition, released photographs depicting abuse of prisoners of war in Baghdad damaged the world's opinion of the US. 

Iraq War: United States soldiers. [Photograph]. In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/media/94353/US-soldiers-in-Samarra-Iraq