George W. Bush declared Iraq War a crusade by God's chosen nation

In 2003, the United States, under the leadership of President George W. Bush, initiated the invasion of Iraq, which was justified by claims that it would eliminate Saddam Hussein's regime. Newly declassified documents from Britain's National Archives revealed that Bush believed the war was a crusade against evil, framing it as the mission of 'God's chosen nation.' These documents indicated that British officials had significant doubts about the viability and intentions behind the U.S. war strategy, citing concerns over the potential length and financial costs of the conflict. The war, which lasted over seven years and cost around $3 trillion, resulted in the deaths of 3,482 American service members and approximately 200,000 Iraqi civilians. British Ambassador Christopher Meyer, writing in late 2002, observed that Bush's strong desire to remove Saddam stemmed from a deep-rooted fear of further terrorist attacks against the United States, especially following the events of September 11, 2001. Meyer also noted that Bush's rhetoric during this period was characterized by a 'messianic appeal' aimed at rallying allies to support the invasion. He described Bush's perspective as a Manichean view of the world, suggesting that the president believed in a moral dichotomy between good and evil, asserting that American values should be adopted universally. Despite the high stakes and potential political fallout for both Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair, diplomatic communications revealed that there was little enthusiasm for war among the American populace. British officials feared risking political fallout in both countries if the invasion proceeded without UN support. The documents reflect the complex interplay of factors, including political, ideological, and military considerations, that ultimately shaped the course of the Iraq War.