> The invasion of Iraq was stupid. It was likely illegal,
I agree that the invasion was stupid, but it was not "likely illegal," it _was_ illegal.
I agree that the invasion was stupid, but it was not "likely illegal," it _was_ illegal.
when a country like the U.S. chooses to initiate a war of aggression against a foreign population it is effectively just an assertion that there is no such thing as law when it comes to wielding geo-political power. in the case of the congressional vote to authorize force, that wasn't really an exercise of law. that was a public performance of assent to break the law. it was congress saying "we capitulate to your plans and will not attempt to interfere with the war".
When a country decides to break its agreements it is more useful to say that there is no strong rule of law in international relations, rather than that there is no law.
Military force was authorized by Public Law 107-243 AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF MILITARY FORCE AGAINST IRAQ RESOLUTION OF 2002 [2].
[1] http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legal [2] https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-107publ243/html/PLAW-107p...