Iraq was placed under sanctions after that war because they unjustly invaded another country, obviously without the support of the UN. Today the US is looking to invade Iraq without the support of the UN. The difference being Iraq just went and did it, while the US asked permission got a ‘No’ and is going to do it anyway.
After/during the war, under UN rules and past examples, could the US be placed under economic sanctions?
UN-approved sanctions? No, the US will simply veto them.
I don’t think it will really come to full-blown sanctions with eg. France. However, in international diplomacy “favour” is everything and the current US administration is not only stepping on toes but effectively stamping around the room in hobnailed boots. I would be unsurprised to see those chickens come home to roost when, for example, Europe placed tariffs on products from Republican-marginal states such as Florida orange juice.
I would be surprised. but then agains i have been surprised by France quit a bit recently. However, I do not think anyone wants to get into a tariff war with US. I believe our trade deficit with almost all significant countries would not make that in their interest at all. france has a 10 billion annual trade surplus with the US. But, I guess if it is the right thing to do they will do whatever it takes ;p
No, the key difference is that America is a modern, western, moral democratic republic and Iraq is an unelected, amoral, brutal, military, outlaw-state.
After 9/11 the ‘sovereignty’ of terrorist-supporting, totalitarian governments is not worth respecting or even acknowledging.