The case for war in Iraq:

Bush's speech (White House press release)

The case against war in Iraq:

It's not about al Qaeda

Claim: "The [Iraqi] regime ... has aided, trained and harbored terrorists, including operatives of al Qaeda."

Facts:

• The leader of Ansar al-Islam, the al Qaeda affiliate accused by Colin Powell of having Iraqi government agents, declared his hatred of Saddam Hussein. ("Weak Link? Radical Islamic Leader Denies Powell's Link Between Al Qaeda and Iraq," ABC News)
• British intelligence asserts there are no current links between Iraq and al Qaeda. ("Leaked report rejects Iraqi al-Qaeda link," BBC News)
• American intelligence experts say the claims are dubious. ("Experts skeptical of reports on al-Qaeda-Baghdad link," USA Today)

It's not about weapons of mass destruction

Claim: "Intelligence gathered by this and other governments leaves no doubt that the Iraq regime continues to possess and conceal some of the most lethal weapons ever devised."

Dick Cheney said, "We believe he has, in fact, reconstituted nuclear weapons." (Interview, Meet the Press)

Facts:

• Bush's assertions have mostly been debunked. ("Bush clings to dubious allegations about Iraq," Washington Post)
• The director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mohamed ElBaradei, said that there is no evidence of any nuclear activity by Iraq. Documents alleging nuclear activity were forgeries. Aluminum tubes were not for nuclear weapons. ("The Status of Nuclear Inspections in Iraq: An Update," United Nations)
• The head of the UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC), Hans Blix, says Iraq's destruction of missiles is a "substantial measure of disarmament." No evidence has been found of chemical or biological weapons currently in Iraq. ("Disarming Iraq," Hans Blix, United Nations)

It's not about humanitarian relief

Claim: "[to Iraqi civilians] ...We will deliver the food and medicine you need. We will tear down the apparatus of terror and we will help you to build a new Iraq that is prosperous and free."

Facts:

• Many critics say the US has not demonstrated enough of a commitment to rebuilding Afghanistan, and that it has not learned enough from this experience to rebuild Iraq. ("Afghanistan offers US lessons for rebuilding Iraq," Reuters AlertNet)
• The cost of rebuilding Iraq is far more than the revenues to be gained from Iraq's oil, despite the Bush Administration's assertion. ("Experts: Oil wouldn't cover Iraq rebuild," Associated Press)
• Most of the reconstruction contracts would go to American firms. Aid agencies say Bush Administration plans are unrealistic. ("White House has plans to rebuild Iraq within a year," The Independent)

It's not just targeting Saddam Hussein

Claim: "I have a message for [Iraqis]. If we must begin a military campaign, it will be directed against the lawless men who rule your country and not against you."

• The "Shock and Awe" campaign will be targeted against the civilian population as well as the military. "There will not be a safe place in Baghdad," says one Pentagon official. "You also take the city down. By that I mean you get rid of their power, water. In 2,3,4,5 days they are physically, emotionally and psychologically exhausted," says Harlan Ullman, an author of the "Shock and Awe" doctrine. (Iraq Faces Massive U.S. Missile Barrage, CBS News)
• In the last war, similar tactics were used. According to Human Rights Watch, "the cost to the civilian population of these attacks on the electrical system was severe." Air Force personnel are quoted saying "one purpose of destroying the electrical system was to harm civilians and thus encourage them to overthrow Saddam Hussein." ("Needless Deaths in the Gulf War, Introduction" Human Rights Watch)

It's about oil

Dick Cheney accused France and Russia of opposing war to protect their economic interests. (Interview, Meet the Press)

• Actually, most of the oil Iraq sells goes to the United States, far more than France or Russia. ("Oil exports from Iraq may be disrupted," Associated Press)
• Ahmed Chalabi, who is one of the prime candidates for leadership in Iraq, has promised that "American companies will have a big shot at Iraqi oil." ("In Iraqi war scenario, oil is key issue," Washington Post)
• Most oil contracts are expected to go to US and British firms, which are currently barred from dealing with Iraq. ("To the victor will go the oil, Los Angeles Times)
• Only countries that support the US war will be eligible for oil contracts. ("What's up with the French?" Fox News)

It's not just Iraq

• Bush said "Success in Iraq could also begin a new stage for Middle Eastern peace...Other regimes will be given a clear warning that support for terror will not be tolerated." (Freedom and the Future, speech at the American Enterprise Institute)
• Bush advisor Richard Perle said, "The experience in Iraq will be a prelude to reforms in the region...I hope Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will consider reforms, otherwise he may say to himself, 'I could be the second target.' ("French veto won't stop US: Pentagon," Agence France-Press)

It's not going to be cheap

Claim: "..."

(Bush didn't actually say anything about how much the war in Iraq would cost.)

• Current estimates are that the war will cost up to $100 billion. This will add to the deficit and strain the economy. ("Tallying the cost of war," ABC News)
• War has already led to cuts in funding for domestic programs, including student loans. ("U.S. House, Senate press budgets in shadow of war," Forbes)

More information

For more information from a more explicitly antiwar point of view, please explore:

• Common Dreams
• Antiwar.com
• Z Magazine