What were the causes of the US invasion of Iraq in 2003?

The United States invaded Iraq in 2003, under the administration of President George W. Bush. The official justification for the invasion was Iraq's possession of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), which the United States claimed posed a threat to its national security. However, despite an extensive search, no WMDs were found in Iraq after the invasion.

Some critics of the invasion argued that it was motivated by other factors, such as a desire to control Iraq's oil reserves, to establish a foothold in the Middle East, or to avenge the September 11 attacks. The Bush administration argued that the invasion was necessary to promote democracy and stability in the region, and to eliminate the threat posed by Saddam Hussein's regime.

The US-led coalition forces quickly overthrew the Iraqi government, but the aftermath of the invasion was marked by sectarian violence and insurgency. The conflict continued for years, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands of Iraqis and thousands of coalition forces members. The invasion remains a controversial event in both US and Middle Eastern history.