Economist.comYou reinforce repeatedly the suggestion that it was America's desire to rid Iraq of weapons of mass destruction that impelled it to invade. In the absence of any significant discoveries of chemical or biological weapons the real reason becomes more apparent. After the embassy bombings in Africa, the attack on the USS Cole and September 11th, the United States no longer appeared invulnerable. Iraq was chosen as a target because it was clear to the hawks in the Bush administration that its regime could be defeated with minimal losses. The perception of the rest of the world was that Iraq would not be a pushover. As a result of the rapid military victory America once again looks invulnerable. The objective of the war was to send a message to all who have or may consider challenging America, including al-Qaeda and its like, and countries such as Iran, North Korea, and Syria.