This essay will focus on one of the key theory of international relations; Neorealism or structural realism. By examining this theory and the principles that notable theorist Kenneth Waltz in his 1979 book “Theory of International Politics” has outlined. The three main perspectives that will be discussed include the notion of an anarchic system, the international security dilemma and the struggle for international state power and hegemony. Through the review of these theories, the essay will attempt to connect the fundamentals of neorealism to the 2003 war on Iraq by US and UK led forces. The ultimate goal of the essay will be to determine whether the war can be rationalised by neorealist theories or whether the US acted outside of the theories …show more content…
These attacks occurred on the twin towers of the World Trade centre which many consider to be the economic symbol of the US. There were also attacks on the Pentagon which is symbolic of the military might of the US. The attacks were aimed at weakening the US’s dominance in the international community and serve as a warning to the west that their ways, cultures and spread of democracy within the Middle East was not welcome. These attacks led to a swift response from the US President at the time, George W Bush who declared a ‘war on terror’. This ‘war on terror’ involved open and covert military stop terrorist organisations, apply military and economic sanctions for anyone in support of these terrorist organisations. This ‘war on terror’ eventually led to the war on Afghanistan to find the person responsible for the organisation of the 9/11 attacks, Osama Bin-Laden. The 2003 war on Iraq was a carryover from the war on Afghanistan and was named Operation Enduring Freedom. The war consisted of 21 days of major military operations with a combined coalition from 36 different