CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

An assessment of the Iraq conflict cannot be adequately undertaken without examining the roles played by two major actors in the international system: the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the United States of America (USA).

Following the devastating effects of the two World Wars, world leaders initiated measures aimed at preventing the recurrence of such large-scale conflicts. According to Egbmuche-Okeke (2008:48), the United Nations Organization was established on October 24, 1945, as part of the continuous effort to promote global peace, with the primary objective of maintaining international peace and security.

Meanwhile, following the end of the Cold War and the disintegration of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), the United States emerged as the dominant power in the international system. Krauthammer (2002:5) observed that:

Shortly before the collapse of the Soviet Union, it was clear that the world we had known for half a century was disappearing. I suggested then that we had already entered the unipolar moment.

Consequently, the international organizational system established after 1945 was, to a considerable extent, a product of American idealism, imagination, and political innovation. According to Puchala (1989:36), other countries adopted American ideas, accepted its vision, followed its leadership, and moved away from the traditional condition of international anarchy, not merely because they recognized the power of the United States but also because they believed in the legitimacy of its actions and principles.

In view of the foregoing, it is not surprising that the United States employs the United Nations platform in pursuing its national interests, particularly given its significant influence on the establishment and development of the international organization. However, this situation has generated concerns about global insecurity. Countries that reject Western values and oppose American influence often interpret such involvement as a form of domination and an infringement on their national sovereignty. In their efforts to safeguard their national interests, some of these countries have consequently taken actions that contradict established international laws and practices. For instance, Iraq's invasion of Kuwait was associated with its interest in gaining control over substantial oil reserves. Had this aggression remained unchecked, Iraq could have strengthened its position as a major oil exporter, potentially increasing its economic and strategic influence over the United States and its allies.

In response, Iraq was expelled from Kuwait by a United States-led coalition operating under the mandate of the United Nations Security Council. Subsequently, in 2003, the United States and its coalition of willing partners launched another military campaign against Iraq. Among the stated and alleged objectives associated with this invasion were regime change, the establishment of military bases, and the exercise of influence over Iraq and its oil resources.

Against this background, the present study examines the factors that shape United States foreign policy behaviour and evaluates their implications for the United Nations Security Council, particularly in relation to international conflict management.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The establishment of an international organization that brings nations together to pursue their respective national interests in the areas of security, political stability, and socioeconomic development was expected to promote peace and security across the international system. Despite these expectations, the international community continues to experience insecurity, as demonstrated by the persistence of both interstate and intrastate conflicts across different parts of the world.

The United Nations, acting primarily through its Security Council, is responsible for maintaining international peace and security by preventing, containing, and managing conflicts before they escalate. However, the unipolar character of the international system, particularly following the end of the Cold War, has positioned the United States as one of the most powerful countries in the world, with considerable influence over the activities and decisions of the United Nations Security Council.

Consequently, several countries have accused the United States of manipulating the Security Council to advance its national interests. The imbalance created by American foreign policy, particularly in the Middle East and the Arab world, has generated opposition from states and groups that perceive its actions as threats to their political independence and sovereignty. Such resistance has contributed to broader security concerns within the international system, including state-sponsored terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). These developments present significant challenges to the United Nations Security Council and have also been used to justify different forms of American intervention.

Furthermore, the United States has been criticized for supporting the United Nations and participating in multilateral arrangements when they advance its interests, while withdrawing cooperation when international decisions conflict with its objectives. Kennedy (2002:2–3) expressed this concern in the following words:

… the overall impression that America has given of late is that we simply don't care what the rest of the world thinks. When we require assistance in rounding up terrorists, freezing financial assets and making air bases available for U.S. troops, we play with the team; when we don't like international schemes, we'll walk away.

An issue that has received insufficient attention in some existing literature concerns the extent to which the economic, political, ideological, and sociocultural policies of the United States are connected to its broader national interests, particularly the preservation and promotion of capitalist values. Examining this issue is essential to understanding the relationship between American foreign policy, the decisions of the United Nations Security Council, and the management of conflicts in the Middle East.

To address this gap in the literature, the study seeks to answer the following research questions:

1. Is there a relationship between the United States' invasion of Iraq and its foreign policy towards the Middle East?

2. Did the United States' invasion of Iraq correspond with the interests and objectives of the United Nations Security Council?

3. Is there a relationship between the failure to use the veto to prevent the United States' invasion of Iraq and the possibility of an international conspiracy among members of the Security Council?

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The broad objective of this study is to evaluate the role of the United Nations Security Council in international conflict management, using Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1991 and the subsequent United States invasion of Iraq in 2003 as specific case studies.

The specific objectives are as follows:

1. To examine the relationship between the United States' invasion of Iraq and its foreign policy towards the Middle East.

2. To investigate areas of convergence between the interests of the United States and those of the United Nations Security Council in the Middle East.

3. To determine whether there is a relationship between the failure to use the veto to prevent the United States' invasion of Iraq and the alleged existence of an international conspiracy among members of the Security Council.

1.4 Significance of the Study

The significance of this study can be considered from two perspectives: its theoretical contribution and its practical relevance.

Theoretically, the study is expected to contribute to existing knowledge on the role of the United Nations Security Council in international conflict management and the influence of powerful states on global security decisions. It will also provide students of the social sciences, particularly political science, with additional academic resources for understanding the Iraq conflict, the involvement of the United States, and the role played by the United Nations Security Council. Furthermore, the study will enrich the existing body of literature on the subject and provide a foundation for further research into Middle Eastern affairs and international relations.

From a practical perspective, the study will provide policymakers and diplomats with useful insights for addressing the increasingly complex challenges of the international system. By examining the relationship between national interests, international institutions, and conflict management, the research may help inform strategies aimed at reducing global conflicts. It may also assist United Nations member states in identifying more sustainable approaches to resolving crises in the Middle East and contribute to discussions on strengthening the effectiveness and credibility of the United Nations Security Council.

1.5 Research Hypotheses

The study will examine the following hypotheses:

1. There is a positive relationship between the United States' invasion of Iraq and its foreign policy towards the Middle East.

2. The interests of the United States and the United Nations appear to converge on the promotion and institutionalization of a Western-style development model in the Middle East.

3. There is no positive relationship between the failure to use the veto to prevent the United States' invasion of Iraq and the alleged existence of an international conspiracy among members of the United Nations Security Council.