THE IMPACT OF THE UNITED STATES' INCURSION INTO IRAQ IN 2003 ON THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE NATION OF IRAQ

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY: Before the collapse of the Soviet Union however, that is during the period of bipolar structure, the concept of international law and that of state‟s sovereignty was much respected it was used to checkmate any attempt of aggression from powerful state over the weaker ones. Bipolar structure had strikes a balance between the two world super powers. Nation states especially those from the developing world tends to forge an alliance with either of the two blocks mainly for security reasons. In most recent years, however, following the end of the cold war political analysts began to be skeptical on what will be the fate of nation states in future world politics as the United States is becoming very aggressive and indicative in achieving her Foreign Policy Objectives. In the submission of (Ziring, 2005:191) the prominence of the United States in the absence of countervailing power was of some consequence to friend and the foe alike.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The United States invasion of Iraq in 2003 brings a new thought to the question of sovereignty; U.S. invasion violates Iraqi independence and territorial integrity. The U.S. invasion in 2003, posed a serious challenge to the concept of sovereignty. Therefore, the problem of this research is to examine the impact of the United States invasion on Iraq's sovereignty. Specifically, the research seeks to answer the following questions: i. Why the invasion took place? ii. What is the role of the United Nations in order to see that Iraq's sovereignty is respected?

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The primary objective of the study is as follows

1. To examine the reason why the united states invaded Iraq in 2003

2. To find out if political and economic gains of the united state led to the Iraq invasion

3. To examine the consequences of the Iraq invasion by the united state of America

4. To find out the role played by the United Nations in order to see that Iraq's sovereignty was respected

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTION

The following questions have been prepared for this study

1. Are there reasons why the united states invaded Iraq in 2003?

2. Did the united states of America invade Iraq because of economic gains?

3. What are the consequences of the Iraq invasion for the U.S and the Iraq nation?

4. What role did the united nations played in ensuring Iraq sovereignty was respected?

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The significance of this study cannot be underestimated as:

1. This study will examine  the impact of the united states invasion of Iraq in 2003 on the sovereignty of Iraq

2. The findings of this research work will undoubtedly provide the much needed information to government organizations, ministry of foreign affairs and academia

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study focuses on  the impact of the united states invasion of Iraq in 2003 on the sovereignty of Iraq. The year 2003 marked the beginning of US invasion of Iraq, and the subsequent events that follows. This six year of US-Iraq war is also good enough to provide a solid basis for a systematic analysis of the invasion of Iraq to understand what really caused the invasion.

1.7 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

This study was constrained by a number of factors which are as follows:

A major limitation to this research however, is the use of secondary source, even though it is an accepted method of data collection; secondary sources are always subjected to author‟s interpretations

 just like any other research, ranging from unavailability of needed accurate materials on the topic under study, inability to get data

Financial constraint , was faced by  the researcher ,in getting relevant materials  and  in printing and collation of questionnaires

Time factor: time factor pose another constraint since having to shuttle between writing of the research and also engaging in other academic work making it uneasy for the researcher

1.8 METHODOLOGY

A combination of methods for data collection was used,which is both primary and secondary sources in this study. Extensive use of data from existing works on US-Iraq war in 2003 was made. The purpose is an attempt to bring into sharper focus the position of states sovereignty in international politics especially when a powerful state invaded small one.however, this study will be divided into five chapters.

1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Invasion: an instance of invading a country or region with an armed force.

Sovereignty: supreme power or authority.