Foreign+Relations

**Iraq** The Iraq War which had started to destroy Iraq’s WMD capabilities now became a war to establish democracy in Iraq. Saddam Hussein, who was captured, tried and executed in Iraq had been the former dictator of the country. Even though no WMDs were found, many in America felt it was important to stabilize the country so it would not become a terrorist stronghold. While establishing the new government, US troops were faced with internal turmoil within the country. Even though the Iraqi military had fallen, guerilla style attacks from opposing factions, including the extremist Islamic group al Qaeda, continued. Suicide and car bombers left thousands of military personnel and civilians dead. As the situation deteriorated, the war lost public support in the US. In February of 2007, a plan began to counter the escalating violence. The troop surge consisting of sending over 30,000 troops to Iraq by the summer was successful in lowering the violence in the area. Public opinion still did not increase for the war. The war, which cost many American lives and billions of US dollars appeared to be a dead end. Soon after taking office, President Obama announced an exit deadline of August 2010 for most US troops.
 * Foreign Relations [[image:Marines.jpg align="right"]] **

As the Iraq War continued, tensions with Iran escalated. With the inauguration of Mahmud Ahmadinejad in August 2005, Iran began its nuclear ambitions. Despite the UN Security Council passing numerous resolutions against a nuclear Iran, the country began to enrich uranium. Because Ahmadinejad had vowed to destroy Israel, a strong ally of the United States, many in the US pushed for action against Iran’s nuclear program. The support for action was increased when information about Iranian support for al Qaeda was released.
 * Iran **

North Korea ** North Korea too began to seek nuclear capabilities. In December, 2002, the country began to remove UN monitoring equipment from its deactivated nuclear facilities. Bush pushed for a diplomatic solution to the crisis; however North Korea broke all negotiations with the US. In October 2006, North Korea conducted its first nuclear weapons test, causing China to put diplomatic pressure on the country. In February 2007, the six party talks consisting of China, Japan, North and South Korea, United States, and Russia, began again. A disarmament agreement was reached at the meetings, however North Korea soon backed out of the agreement after testing several three-stage rockets in April 2009.