The U.S. involvement in Iraq may go down as one of the most controversial wars in history – even more so than the Vietnam War. Why? Because the basic premise for invading Iraq was false. There were no weapons of mass destruction, and so, there was no reason to invade the country, other than they were under the iron rule of a brutal and power-hungry dictator, of course. However, the question remains, is this a compelling reason to use force? Some might say yes, that it is the United States' duty to ensure democracy and civil rights across the globe. Others vehemently disagree. What most people around the world do agree on is that the U.S. use of force in Iraq has had enduring consequences on the way the U.S. is perceived around the world.
             Many consequences arise from the use of force in Iraq. One important consequence is the people's safety here at home. Military recruiting is down. Young people do not want to join the Armed Forces when it is quite clear they could die in Iraq or Afghanistan (or any number of places, for that matter). This shortage results in fewer qualified members of the armed forces, and leaves fewer in America to protect against terrorism and attack. Thus, the American military is spread thin, and will be spread even thinner when National Guard troops are deployed to the U.S. Mexican border to guard against illegal entrance next month. This leaves the country more vulnerable to terrorism and natural disaster. Witness the results of Hurricane Katrina, where it took days for emergency crews, including National Guard troops, to enter the city and begin a rescue effort. This indicates just how thinly the military is spread, and this is a direct result of U.S. force in Iraq.
             Another important consequence of U.S. involvement is the deaths of over 2,600 coalition force members. That includes 2,463 Americans, as of May 25, 2006. Almost 18,000 military personnel have been wounded during the war, ...