Policy Forum 

# The Iraq War at 20 Years 

Date and Time 

March 16, 2023 1 - 4:30 PM EDT 

Location 

Cato Institute, 1000 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC 

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On March 20th, 2003, the United States and an allied coalition launched a bombing campaign against Iraq and began the Iraq War to overthrow Saddam Hussein. A protracted campaign led to U.S. occupation and nation-building long after the fall and capture of Hussein. Twenty years later, the Cato Institute invites you to join us for a discussion about the war and the state of affairs today.

Our first panel examines the political climate and context surrounding the run-up to war in 2002–2003. To what extent was the debate surrounding the war characterized by groupthink? Does the phrase “marketplace of ideas” accurately describe that debate? What were the major factors shaping that debate, and what were their effects?

Our second panel contrasts the climate of opinion in politics and media today with that of 2002–2003. Is there more debate surrounding U.S. foreign policy today than there was then? Why or why not? Are there meaningful constraints on executive action in foreign policy from Congress, the media, or elsewhere? What are the keys to a productive debate about security policy?

**Senator Tim Kaine** (D‑VA) will conclude the event with a keynote address covering the efforts to repeal the 1991 and 2002 Authorizations for the Use of Military Force against Iraq.

## Schedule

1:00-2:15 PM 

**Panel 1: What Went Wrong?**

**Shibley Telhami**, Anwar Sadat Professor for Peace and Development, University of Maryland 
**Jonathan Landay**, DC National Security Correspondent, Thomson Reuters 
**Jessica Mathews**, Distinguished Fellow, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace 
**Doug Bandow**, Senior Fellow, Cato Institute 

Moderated by **Justin Logan**, Director of Defense and Foreign Policy Studies, Cato Institute

2:15-2:30 PM 

**Break**

2:30-3:45 PM 

**Panel 2: Are Things Different?**

**Sumantra Maitra**, Senior Editor, *The American Conservative* 
**Dan Caldwell**, Vice President, Center for Renewing America 
**Justin Logan**, Director of Defense and Foreign Policy Studies, Cato Institute 
**Ahsan Butt**, Associate Professor, George Mason University 

Moderated by **Katherine Doyle**, White House Reporter, *Washington Examiner*

3:45-4:00 PM 

**Break**

4:00-4:30 PM 

**Keynote: Ending the Legal Authorization for War in Iraq**

**Sen. Tim Kaine** (D‑VA) 

Moderated by **Alex Ward**, National Security Reporter, *Politico*

**Reception to follow**

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