http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/10/12/national/main20119095.shtml A country who has always been a clear cut enemy to the US. Why was Iraq instead of Iran invaded?
are you going to argue with god? Bush: God told me to invade Iraq Friday, 7 October 2005 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/bush-god-told-me-to-invade-iraq-509925.html President George Bush has claimed he was told by God to invade Iraq and attack Osama bin Laden's stronghold of Afghanistan as part of a divine mission to bring peace to the Middle East, security for Israel, and a state for the Palestinians. He told Bob Woodward - whose 2004 book, Plan of Attack, is the definitive account of the administration's road to war in Iraq - that after giving the order to invade in March 2003, he walked in the White House garden, praying "that our troops be safe, be protected by the Almighty". As he went into this critical period, he told Mr Woodward, "I was praying for strength to do the Lord's will.
It was deemed easier (logistically and politically) to establish a base in Iraq, first, then deal with Iran (or whoever) from there, later, if necessary. You have to think strategically.
Except he failed to do that, since Iraq is predominantly Shi'ite, allowing Iran to wield more influence in Iraq than we do. http://www.gwumc.edu/hspi/policy/commentary17_BaghdadSurprise.cfm
So Bushes plan was to invade Iraq, Set up a big Base and then invade Iran from Iraq? I never got the impression that he was planning an Iranian invasion by taking over Iraq. It would have been easier to make a deal with Hussein instead, he would have played ball since he was not a fan of Iran.