Four P's in Foreign Policy

By analyzing the war on Iraq using the 4 P's framework offered by Bruce W. Jentleson in his Book American Foreign Policy, it appears that the US national interest objective can not be at the same time pleased in many of the cases. Iraq ended up being an US threat in 1990 when previous Iraqi dictator, Saddam Hussein, led the intrusion of Kuwait. US, supported by the United Nations and numerous other countries, fought for the very first time versus Iraq. The United States troops expelled the Iraqi troops out of Kuwait and reestablished order because country.

This did not suggest that the danger was over; Saddam Hussein became an "opponent" of the United States.

After the terrorist attacks in the United States, President George Bush started a war on horror, a war which primary function is to end up any sort of risks all over the world. According to President Bush, Saddam Hussein with his anti-American belief and the "possession" of biological and chemical weapons was among these hazards.

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The proposal of a brand-new war against Iraq originated from George Bush. This war was expected to be based on the core goals of American Diplomacy (The 4 P's).

Power: Iraq was considered as one of the greatest enemies of the United States, more than the country itself; the opponent was its leader, Saddam Hussein. An active threat might not just harm United States allies in the Middle East but likewise other countries worldwide, even America. The risk was too big and some actions ought to be taken.

America ought to protect itself and its interests.

Peace: Iraq could also hinder world peace as it did previously. Saddam Hussein's greed and power might result in another intrusion to a Middle Eastern nation. The United States had also a huge duty in this element, as one of the most powerful nations on the planet, it was needed an US intervention in order to maintain the world's peace. Even though the United States was breaking the peace by going to war against Iraq, this war was necessary to prevent a bigger catastrophe.

Success: The financial national interest was likewise involved in this war. Iraq has the 2nd biggest oil reserves worldwide, but likewise Iraq's neighbors, like Kuwait, are essential oil service providers to the US. Since the safety of these nations remained in danger America should secure them, and at the same time secure its own economical interests.

Principles: Saddam Hussein was a brutal dictator who committed mass murder against his own people. There were no civil rights in Iraq, repression and tortures were common denominators in the country. George Bush also wanted to bring freedom to the Iraqi people and all the rights that were taken from them.

After the war was over some of these goals were not achieved, totally. The main reason to start this war was Saddam Hussein's possession of biological chemical weapons. These weapons or any proof that they existed have not yet been found. Peace was also broken, and even months after the war is over and Saddam Hussein has been captured, there still is not peace in Iraq. Many innocent people died during this war, and today people are still dying as a consequence of that war. The United States violated several provisions established by the United Nations. The US was supported by some countries but it was not the same number of supporters as in the first war against Iraq. The UN and countries like France did not give all their support to this war.

On the other hand, prosperity and principles goals were achieved or are on the road to be achieved. The US provides more security to many oil producers in the Middle East and it will also gain a new provider, Iraq (This is the reason which I believe the war started). Also democracy is on its way to be established in Iraq; people are recovering many of their rights and freedom. As Jentleson explained in his book sometimes some goals have to be sacrificed in order to achieved the others.