EC2003 MEDC
Chaos reigned in the aftermath of the fall of Saddam Hussein and his regime. The United States failed to obtain sufficient support from the international community for its exercise in nation building, and with the body count rising and a new Administration in Washington, US forces pulled out in late 2004. Continuing political friction with the European Union was only aggravated by the turn of events in Iraq. The withdrawal of any significant Western presence in the Middle East led to a power vacuum that soon twisted itself into a nightmare scenario. The intifada in Israel intensified when the USA pulled out of Iraq. The Israelis responded with a heavy hand. In turn, the longtime enemies of Israel sensed an opportunity, and then moved with shocking speed. (Released August 2004).