In March 2003, the US Empire invaded and occupied Iraq under the rubric of “Operation Iraqi Freedom.” Last week, twenty-three years later, the last US troops have been withdrawn from Iraq. I think almost every American would agree with one thing about that particular foreign war: It did not bring freedom to the Iraqi people, at least not freedom the way that libertarians define the term. Instead, it brought what US interventionism traditionally brings to foreign lands: death, destruction, injuries, maiming, and impoverishment, not to mention a government in which Iran and Iran-aligned political and militia groups exercise substantial influence.
It’s probably also worth mentioning that under the Iraqi constitution, Islam is the official religion of the state and a “foundation source of legislation” and that no law in Iraq may contradict the established provisions of Islam (even though the same provision also prohibits laws that contradict democratic principles and constitutionally protected rights and freedoms).
Iraq is hardly a place that most Americans would regard as an ordinary vacation destination. That’s because they wouldn’t it find it safe to vacation there, especially given the deep animosity that many Iraqis have toward the United States, notwithstanding “Operation Iraqi Freedom.”
The US military withdrawal from …read more
Source:: Ron Paul Institute
