There are really two questions here. The first is whether the US made a justification for the Iraq War. The second is whether people really believed that this was a legitimate justification. As to the latter, a significant percentage of Americans and people around the world doubted the sincerity of the American justifications, but the US did provide justifications.
The Initial Justification : Weapons of Mass Destruction
The primary reason given by the administration of George W. Bush was that Saddam Hussein, the leader of Iraq, was engaged in the production or acquisition of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). These are nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons (examples are the anthrax letter attacks in the US and the Sarin gas attacks in Tokyo--neither of which had any connection to Iraq). It was suggested that Hussein might provide these weapons to terrorists to attack the US. He had already used chemical weapons sold to him by the US against Iran, and also against Iraqi Kurds. Before the war UN inspectors announced they had found no evidence of WMDs, despite unfettered access. After the war was under way, additional investigation concluded Saddam did not have WMDs.
The war continued, however, because the occupation forces of the US were attacked by Iraqi guerrillas, many ironically supported by Iran, Iraq's enemy in the Iran-Iraq war (1980-1988). The US supported a new democratic government within Iraq, which was opposed by various Islamic groups that traditionally held power in the country. Other factions sought to aggrandize their share of the power to be had in the new political system.
It was suggested early on the conflict was predominantly an attempt by the US to control the flow of oil from Iraq, one of the largest petroleum producers in the Middle East.
Secondary Justification: Fostering a Democracy in Iraq
Initially when the US commenced Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, it was a war against the regime in Iraq; to remove Saddam from power, as the US had failed to do in 1991. The goal of the 1991 operation was to drive Saddam from Kuwait, at which the US and its allies succeeded. When no WMDs were found, the US asserted that its mission in Iraq was two-fold: to create a modern democracy and to stop the persistent genocides that took place in that country. The US enfranchised the Shiite Majority, provided for Kurdish autonomy in the North, and assembled a Constitution for the entire Iraqi population. This is in stark contrast to Saddam Hussein who used chemical weapons on his own population and was responsible for committing genocide against the Shiite Arabs, Marsh Arabs, Kurds, Jews, Azeri, Assyrians, Yazidi, Bahai'i, and Chaldeans among others.
No it's not justified. it is just the vengeance of America and a publicity stunt for Bush. How can be a War in a modern day situation, justified , for any reason? Bush wanted to show his people what he has in return of the WTC attacks.
This is a highly contentious question, but the general public opinion is that the Iraq War was an illegitimate power-grab.
NO !!!
Iraq never started any war with US
The first Gulf war; Desert Shield and Desert Storm, were very justified. Iraq invaded and occupied Kuwait, and terrorized the nation. Iraq threatened to attack Saudi Arabia. The war was necessary to defend Saudi Arabia and free Kuwait from a murderous tryant--Saddam Hussein of Iraq.
None. The US is not at war with Iraq. In Vietnam, the US was at war with North Vietnam.
The US supported Iraq during their war with Iran (1980-1988).
The US last declared war in December 1941.
It was for control.
Iraq's invasion of Kuwait was not justified; it was a violation of Kuwait's national sovereignty. Kuwait's request for liberation and the ensuing war to expel Iraqi forces from Kuwait was justified, also on the grounds of Kuwait's national sovereignty.
The people involved in the war in Iraq are the US, Iraq and the UK.
Iraq and the US.
The US is not at war with Iraq. The US was at war with North Vietnam.
Iraq never started any war with US
The US is not at war Iraq. The US was at war with a nation called North Vietnam.
The US is not at war with Iraq.
The first Gulf war; Desert Shield and Desert Storm, were very justified. Iraq invaded and occupied Kuwait, and terrorized the nation. Iraq threatened to attack Saudi Arabia. The war was necessary to defend Saudi Arabia and free Kuwait from a murderous tryant--Saddam Hussein of Iraq.
The US is NOT at war with Iraq. The US was at war with North Vietnam.
us soilders
War is always undesirable and an evil. However, while there is no case that Iraq's invasion of Kuwait was justifiable, the Coalition forcing Iraq to get out of Kuwait may be justified.