If you want a really good answer, read George W. Bush's memoir: Decision Points. (It's worth a read even if you hate GWB.) To Summarize GWB's explanation: Sadd

If you want a really good answer, read George W. Bush's memoir: Decision Points. (It's worth a read even if you hate GWB.) To Summarize GWB's explanation: Saddam Hussain was threatening to orchestrate a terrorist attack on the US, similar to 9-11. Saddam was a dangerous dictator and orchestrating genocide. George W. Bush built an international coalition that all agreed that invasion was the appropriate response. (Remember that the political climate at the time was that the US and the international community did not want another 9-11. Also remember that a lot of politicians panicked after 9-11.) Bush's comments about the informant who passed us (the US) information about the weapons of mass destruction leaves a lot open for interpretation. He had to scrub confidential information out of the book. Remember, a lot of "defense" also means passing misinformation to your enemy, and if you are the recipient of misinformation, you want your enemy to think you believe it. Keep this in mind as you read Bush's explanation about the intelligence passed to us regarding the WMDs in Iraq. (Edit: GWB gave Saddam ample time to voluntarily leave Iraq. There were arrangements made for him to have a large sum of money and protection if he stepped down.) Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Decision-Points-George-W-Bush-ebook/dp/B003F3PK5Y/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2IX4QA587GVYK&keywords=decision+points+george+w+bush&qid=1646231708&sprefix=descision+points%2Caps%2C78&sr=8-1 https://www.amazon.com/Decision-Points-George-W-Bush-ebook/d... Was the war the right thing to do? I'll listen to historians who have full access to classified information.