Saddam Hussein and al-Qaeda

In 2003, the Bush administration alleged that Saddam Hussein and al-Qaeda might conspire to launch terrorist attacks on America, and used this allegation, among others, to persuade Congress and the American people to invade Iraq. Prior to 9/11 and the resulting War on Terror, many believed that Saddam Hussein's regime had links to al-Qaeda. Reports of contacts between the two were published in various newspapers and magazines, but no concrete evidence that Iraq conspired with al Qaeda to commit terrorist attacks has ever materialized. The 9/11 Commission concluded that there was no evidence of a "collaborative relationship" between Saddam Hussein and Al-Qaeda at the time of the September 11, 2001 attacks. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5223932/ http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A54702-2004Jun19.html This was also the conclusion of various U.S. government agencies that investigated the issue, including the CIA, FBI, and NSA. The Senate Report of Pre-war Intelligence on Iraq also reviewed the intelligence community's conclusions and found that they were justifiable.

Related Topics:
2003 - Bush administration - Saddam Hussein - Al-Qaeda - America - Among others - Congress - Invade Iraq - 9/11 Commission - September 11, 2001 attacks - CIA - FBI - NSA - Senate Report of Pre-war Intelligence on Iraq

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This is distinct from the al-Qaeda presence involved in the Iraqi insurgency.

Related Topics:
Al-Qaeda - Iraqi insurgency

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~