Why Australia invaded Iraq: a study in alliance management

Abstract

Australia's choice to join America and Britain in the invasion of Iraq appears both inevitable and inexplicable. We wonder how we could possibly have supported such folly. But equally we wonder, how could we possibly have done anything else? In fact, there are good and interesting answers to both these questions. In this chapter I try to explain Australia's decision to join the invasion, and to evaluate that decision as a piece of strategic policy.