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The Iraq War (2003-present) is an ongoing conflict in Iraq which began with an invasion by a United States led coaltion of nations. Following the and resulted in the defeat of Iraq's Hussein-led regular military forces, the occupation of all major Iraqi cities, and the apprehension of Saddam Hussein.

Prior to the invasion, the Iraq Disarmament Crisis emerged due to U.S. demands that Iraq destroy its weapons of mass destruction and comply with UN Security Council Resolution 1441 and all other prior security council resolutions.[1]Other cited reasons for this invasion were alleged ties between Saddam Hussein and terrorists, abuse of human rights, a desire to spread democracy and various other rationales. The invasion itself was seen by many, including United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, as a violation of the UN Charter and thus international law.[2]

The second phase of the conflict began after the government had been overthrown, and centers around U.S. efforts to establish what it describes as a democratic state capable of defending itself, versus a popular Iraqi demand that the U.S. leave the country immediately or after a government has been elected. [3][4][5] A growing armed resistance, usually called the Iraqi insurgency, formed in Iraq after the invasion concluded. Along with the Iraqi insurgency is the formation of groups such as al-Qaeda in Iraq. Several coalition members have pulled out of Iraq. [6]

Since late 2005 Iraq has seen an increase in sectarian violence to the point that former interim prime minister Iyad Allawi called it a civil war[7]. Bush disagreed with the term "civil war"[8] and claimed that the violence is a result of Saddam Hussein's prior leadership and incitement by the Iraqi insurgency. [9][10]