@article{esj 24, author = {Marthe Kielland Røssaak}, title = {Searching for Weapons of Mass Destruction: US Intelligence Failure in the 2003 Invasion of Iraq}, volume = {9}, year = {2017}, url = {http://publications.essex.ac.uk/esj/article/id/24/}, issue = {1}, doi = {10.5526/esj24}, abstract = {In 2003 the United States of America invaded Iraq without prior approval from the United Nations. The political leadership deemed that the intelligence was sufficient to prove that Saddam Hussein was in possession of weapons of mass destruction. The invasion led to what has later been named ‘the perfect intelligence failure’, as it became clear that the intelligence conclusions were wrongful. This essay offers an analysis of the failures that occurred on all stages of the intelligence cycle, and the basis on which the decision to invade was made. The essay concludes that the intelligence was politicised from the point of directions on collection, throughout the cycle, until the point of dissemination and policy implementation.}, month = {1}, keywords = {Iraq,Iraq Invasion,US Intelligence,Weapons of Mass Destruction}, issn = {2633-7045}, publisher={University of Essex Library Services}, journal = {Essex Student Journal} }