US-Iraq relations after 2003 within the scope of regional security

The purpose of this study is to investigate the implications of the U.S.-led invasion in 2003 on the U.S.-Iraq relations. The investigation will focus on political, security, and socio-economic impacts of the invasion as well as its implications for regional security. The thesis will assess the extent to which the power vacuum in Iraq created by the U.S.-led invasion contributed to greater political instability, governance failure, and the rise of terrorist organizations, such as Islamic State of Iraq and Levant. In order to achieve the purpose of the study, it will use a combination of primary data from interviews and secondary data sources. The research will demonstrate a direct link between the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime and the rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant. The research will further demonstrate how the political instability in Iraq was linked to the problem of sectarianism, corruption, and the influence of particular internal or external actors. The results of the research will indicate that the U.S.-led invasion resulted in Iraq's political fragmentation, contributing to state's failure to provide basic services to its citizens, promote better economic conditions, and provide for the security of its citizens. In particular, the military infrastructure was destroyed, which gave way for numerous insurgent groups. The socio-economic impacts of the invasion included high rates of unemployment and poverty. As a result, alongside with the creation of favorable conditions, Islamic State of Iraq and Levant supported further growth of sectarian divisions. The research's findings make it clear that one such country playing a significant role in Iraq's power balance is Iran, which utilized domestic Shia militias and political groups and promoted interests detrimental to Iraq's soveregnity in order to influence the political situation. Key Words: U.S.-Iraq relations, post-2003, political instability, governance challenges, security vacuum, ISIS, sectarianism, foreign influence, Iran, socio-economic impacts, regional security, Iraq sovereignty.