2003 US intervention in Iraq in the context of the relationship of identity and foreign policy

Iraq, one of the important countries of the Middle East, was exposed to American intervention for the second time in 2003. In this thesis, it is aimed to explain the reasons for the American intervention in Iraq. The main research question of this thesis is how the September 11 Events transformed the American identity in the field of foreign policy. The answer to this question, on the other hand, has transformed the American foreign policy of the September 11 events, especially in the post-Cold War unipolar order, from a multilateral, economic cooperation based policy to a one-sided, expansionist policy that sees the spread of American values with activist protectionist policies. The main reason for this transformation is shown to be the influence of Neo-Conservative and Evangelical ideas in decision-making mechanisms. In order to convey this transformation, the speeches of decision makers especially after September 11 were examined. For this purpose, firstly, the historical background of America's policies towards Iraq is explained, then the characteristics of the American identity since its foundation are listed, and then the effect of the American identity on foreign policy after the Cold War, in particular the Iraq War, is examined.