Iraq War, also called Second Persian Gulf War, (2003–11), conflict in Iraq that consisted of two phases. The first of these was a brief, conventionally fought war in March–April 2003, in which a combined force of troops from the United States and Great Britain (with smaller contingents from several other countries) invaded Iraq and rapidly defeated Iraqi military and paramilitary forces. It was followed by a longer second phase in which a U.S.-led occupation of Iraq was opposed by an insurgency. After violence began to decline in 2007, the United States gradually reduced its military presence in Iraq, formally completing
This type of arrangement is hardly unprecedented, as Delta Force also worked in the shadows during the search for, and eventual killing of, Pablo Escobar in Colombia. They've also served in advisory capacities during hostage-rescue missions in places as diverse as Sudan and Peru.
No one can deny that fighting terrorism around the world increases the likelihood that we'll fall victim to another attack in the near-term, but this is a necessary risk to ensure our long-term safety. It's also true, however, that no terrorists have successfully executed a major attack on American soil since Sept. 11, 2001.
Qusay Hussein survived a bombing in Iraq back in 2006. He was left visually impaired and had dozens of surgeries since then, but that has not stopped him.