In this episode of UCG International Politics, we take a look at the 2003 Iraq War, its causes, and the far-reaching consequences that continue to shape the region and global politics. While the U.S.-led coalition swiftly toppled Saddam Hussein’s regime, the war did not end there. The occupation that followed led to years of insurgency, sectarian violence, and the eventual withdrawal of U.S. forces in 2011. The power vacuum left behind allowed extremist groups to rise, fueling conflicts in both Iraq and Syria.

Through expert insights, we explore why Iraq was chosen for intervention, how the war unfolded, and the long-term effects on U.S. foreign policy, international interventions, and the Middle East as a whole. With perspectives from academia, journalism, and intelligence, this discussion will explore the war’s legacy and its ongoing impact on global security and diplomacy.

* Episodes of the UCG International Politics podcast are course assignments prepared by the students at the University College Groningen. The characters assumed by the students in the episodes are entirely fictional.