Brief learning objectives have been made available by the author, to assist you with your studies.

This chapter will enable a greater understanding of:

• The controversial background to the US intervention in Iraq.

• The impacts of the Iraq War on the Iraqi people.

• The continuing crises confronting the political system in Iraq.

• The impacts of counter-terrorism policy on the perception of the US in the Middle East.

• The dilemmas resulting from US counter-terrorism efforts in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Somalia.