Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Robin Cook, resigns from the British Cabinet in disagreement with government plans for the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

The Role of the UK's Foreign Secretary

In the intricate machinery of the UK Government, one of the most pivotal figures is the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, more commonly known as the Foreign Secretary. This individual holds ultimate responsibility for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), an expansive department that manages the nation's international relations, diplomacy, and overseas development.

Considered a Great Office of State and one of the most senior ministerial positions, the Foreign Secretary is a central member of the Cabinet of the United Kingdom, typically ranking fourth in the governmental hierarchy. They work closely with other Foreign Office ministers, steering the UK's foreign policy on the global stage. The performance of this crucial role is rigorously scrutinised by Parliament's Foreign Affairs Select Committee, ensuring accountability and transparency in the nation's international dealings. On the opposing benches, the corresponding shadow ministers, namely the Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and the Shadow Secretary of State for International Development, actively challenge and debate the government's approach. As of September 2021, following a cabinet reshuffle, Liz Truss MP was appointed to this prestigious office, a position she held at the time of this text's original compilation.

The 2003 Invasion of Iraq: A Detailed Retrospective

The 2003 Invasion of Iraq marked the dramatic initial phase of the broader Iraq War, a conflict that profoundly reshaped geopolitical dynamics. This invasion, spearheaded by a multi-national coalition, formally commenced with an aerial bombardment on March 19, 2003, swiftly followed by ground incursions on March 20. The major combat operations, a whirlwind of military action, lasted for approximately 26 intense days.

Coalition Forces and Objectives

A formidable combined force, primarily comprising troops from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Poland, moved into Iraq. The overwhelming majority, about 73% or 130,000 soldiers, were American, complemented by approximately 45,000 British soldiers (25%), 2,000 Australian personnel (1%), and 194 Polish soldiers (0.1%). In preparation for this monumental undertaking, 100,000 U.S. troops had already assembled in Kuwait by February 18. Furthermore, Kurdish Peshmerga forces in Iraqi Kurdistan provided valuable support to the coalition. While 36 other nations would eventually play a role in the aftermath, this initial push was largely driven by these core partners.

According to the public declarations by U.S. President George W. Bush and UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, the primary objectives of the coalition were three-fold: to disarm Iraq of alleged weapons of mass destruction (WMD), to end Saddam Hussein's purported support for terrorism, and to liberate the Iraqi people. However, these stated rationales faced significant international scrutiny, particularly given that a United Nations inspection team had reported finding no evidence of WMDs shortly before the invasion. Other analyses often highlight the profound impact of the September 11 attacks, which significantly altered U.S. strategic calculations, and the rise of the "freedom agenda" as contributing factors. Blair himself pointed to Iraq's failure to seize a "final opportunity" to disarm itself of alleged nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons, which U.S. and British officials controversially deemed an "immediate and intolerable threat to world peace."

Global Opposition and Controversies

Despite the official justifications, the invasion faced substantial international opposition. Key U.S. allies, including France, Canada, Germany, and New Zealand, vociferously argued that there was insufficient evidence of WMDs in Iraq and that the invasion lacked justification, especially in light of the UNMOVIC report of February 12, 2003. Public opinion in the U.S. was also nuanced; a January 2003 CBS poll revealed that while 64% of Americans approved of military action, a strong majority (63%) preferred a diplomatic solution, and 62% believed the war would actually increase the threat of terrorism against the U.S.

Globally, the scale of public dissent was unprecedented. On February 15, 2003, merely a month before the invasion, millions took to the streets in worldwide protests against the impending conflict. Rome witnessed a staggering three million participants, an event so massive it was listed by the Guinness Book of Records as the largest anti-war rally ever recorded. Between January 3 and April 12, 2003, an estimated 36 million people across the globe participated in nearly 3,000 separate protests, underscoring a profound international condemnation of the war.

In the aftermath, while around 5,000 chemical warheads, shells, or aviation bombs were indeed discovered during the Iraq War, these dated back to Saddam Hussein's rule *before* the 1991 Gulf War and had been abandoned. Critically, these discoveries did not provide support for the government's primary invasion rationale concerning active WMD programs.

The Invasion Unfolds: Key Battles and Occupation

The invasion's opening salvo was an airstrike on the Presidential Palace in Baghdad on March 20, 2003. The very next day, coalition forces launched a ground incursion into Basra Province from their staging points near the Iraqi-Kuwaiti border. Special forces executed an amphibious assault from the Persian Gulf to secure Basra and its vital petroleum fields, while the main invasion army pushed into southern Iraq, engaging in fierce fighting like the Battle of Nasiriyah on March 23. Massive air strikes across the country systematically dismantled Iraqi command-and-control, effectively preventing a coordinated resistance.

By March 26, the 173rd Airborne Brigade was air-dropped near the northern city of Kirkuk, where they joined forces with Kurdish rebels to fight the Iraqi Army and secure the northern flank of the country. The core coalition forces continued their relentless drive towards the heart of Iraq, encountering remarkably little resistance. The Iraqi military was largely overwhelmed and quickly defeated, paving the way for the capture of Baghdad by Coalition forces on April 9, 2003, after the six-day Battle of Baghdad. This monumental event, just 22 days after the invasion began, marked a critical turning point. Other operations swiftly followed, including the capture and occupation of Kirkuk on April 10, and the attack and capture of Tikrit on April 15. With the country largely under coalition control, Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and his central leadership went into hiding.

The early stage of the war formally concluded on May 1, 2003, when U.S. President George W. Bush famously declared the "end of major combat operations" in his "Mission Accomplished" speech aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. This declaration officially ended the invasion period and initiated the subsequent phase of military occupation, with the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) established as the first of several transitional governments leading up to Iraq's first parliamentary election in January 2005. U.S. military forces would ultimately remain in Iraq for many years, finally withdrawing in 2011.

FAQs on the UK Foreign Secretary and the 2003 Iraq War

Who is the Foreign Secretary of the UK?
The Foreign Secretary is the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, a senior minister in the UK Government responsible for the nation's foreign policy and international relations. At the time of the original text's compilation, Liz Truss MP held this position, having been appointed in September 2021.
What were the main reasons cited for the 2003 Iraq War?
The U.S. and UK governments, primarily under President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair, cited three main reasons: to disarm Iraq of alleged weapons of mass destruction (WMD), to end Saddam Hussein's support for terrorism, and to free the Iraqi people. These claims were highly controversial, especially as UN inspectors found no evidence of WMDs before the invasion.
When did the 2003 Iraq War invasion phase begin and end?
The invasion phase began with an air campaign on March 19, 2003, and ground operations on March 20, 2003. Major combat operations officially concluded on May 1, 2003, when U.S. President George W. Bush declared the "end of major combat operations."
Which countries were the primary coalition forces in the 2003 Iraq War?
The main coalition forces were from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Poland. The U.S. contributed the vast majority of troops, followed by the UK.
Was there significant opposition to the 2003 Iraq War?
Yes, there was widespread and significant opposition both internationally and within allied countries. Many U.S. allies, including France and Germany, openly opposed the war, and millions participated in massive anti-war protests across the globe in the months leading up to the invasion.