Pros and cons of the Iraq war.

PRO
-The tyrannical and oppressive Saddam Hussein, who invaded Iran and gassed Kurds with American support and weapons, then invaded Kuwait and gassed Kurds opposed by the US, has been overthrown. (I look forward to his trial at the Hague for war crimes, but this is extremely unlikely to happen, given what he is likely to disclose about American and other "upstanding" countries' involvement in supporting him before Kuwait, and the question being raised as to Bush and Blair also being war criminals).
-Over half of Iraqis, according to an opinion poll, say life in Iraq is better than under Saddam and sanctions.

CON
-20,000 Iraqis have died as a result, a high percentage of them civilians, women and children.
-Hundreds of American troops have been killed (and Allied troops in addition), and many more wounded and returned home traumatised.
-Saddam Hussein was not an imminent threat. He had been contained from attacking any country for 12 years. It now appears he had no WMD and even if he did have he would not have used them aggressively, as he didn't use them in self-defence.
-Saddam Hussein (contrary to the belief of half of Americans, resulting from Bush's deceitful propaganda) was not involved or implicated in 9/11.He was not harbouring or linked to Al Qaida. Al Qaida now IS involved in Iraq.
-The war diverted attention away from Al Qaida and allowed them time to regroup.
-It took place without UN agreement and proper international legality. It implies that any country should be permitted to attack any other it may or may not consider a genuine threat. The UK and US were determined to proceed with war rather than allow the UN inspectors more time- though it's noticeable that
more time is still wanted for the current Allied inspections to be completed.
-Cluster bombs in civilian areas and illegal weapons were used by the Allies.
-The war has caused deep divisions within NATO, Europe and within the populations of most countries.
-It has inflamed anti-American feeling worldwide, turning post 9/11 sympathy into mistrust and hatred.
-It has extended the American Empire, now from Mediterrean to China. America now has military bases in 3/4 of countries.
-Its main purpose, as admitted by Wolfowitz, was to improve American strategic control of the region.
-The "rebuilding of Iraq" has merely been an excuse for its exploitation by Bush-supporting American companies and for his millionaire buddies to line their pockets.
-The war has recuited more "terrorists" and rather than making the world a safer place is now costing countries more money on security measures. It has not addressed the root causes of terrorism and anti-American feeling but exacerbated them.
-Countries which supported the war are now under increased risk of attack.
-Hard-won civil liberties throughout the Western world (and elsewhere) are being seriously eroded, with furthering of the "big brother" state, torture, detention for years without access to solicitors or trial . This damage to democratic way of life can be seen as a "giving in" to and victory for terrorists.
-The war has cost a huge amount of money that could have been spent on reducing worldwide poverty and inequality.
-It has created increased racist tensions and suspicion and hostility between Christians and Muslims, and given the impression that Bush's Christian religion prefers war and hatred to love and peace.
-Many animals died and suffered in the war.
-Many of Iraq's priceless cultural, artistic and historical treasures have ben looted and destroyed.
-Some of Iraq's oil reserves have been lost.
-As many Iraqis polled feel humiliated by the war as liberated, and over 40% do not believe life is clearly better than under Saddam and sanctions.
-The war was a clear case of double standards. America has no intention of overthrowing many other oppressive and undemocratic regimes (eg Zimbabwe), or some (eg Israel) which have breached more UN resolutions than Saddam, or some which had many of the 9/11 terrorists and significant numbers of Al Qaida supporters (eg Saudi Arabia) or others which posed and pose a genuine and more serious threat with WMD and their spread (eg Pakistan). It was certainly not done for the sake of the Iraqi people; after all, why should they be singled out as deserving of liberation while other populations are not?