The growing of Chinese influence in Iraq under U.S. invasion (2003-2013)

The invasion of Iraq in 2003 by the United States and its allies, is one of the most important events of the early 21st century, that has had a major impact on Iraq, the Middle East and the relations among the great powers. Although the United States succeeded in occupying and destroying Saddam's regime, but this victory did not strengthen the US position in Iraq, rather until the withdrawal of US troops in 2011, Iraqis, despite political and military problems, strongly resisted the occupation. While the war cost the United States more than 3 trillion USD, it did not benefit economically and commercially from Iraq. On the contrary, China was one of the countries that initially opposed the war, both during and after the war, and did not join the US led coalition to invade Iraq, also considered the unilateral US decision to invade Iraq as a clear violation of international values and law. In addition, learned lessons from the occupation to renew his military and intelligence capabilities. On the other hand, it has formulated its political strategy on the basis of the new postwar gifts. On the other hand, it has increased its economic and commercial influence in Iraq, to the extent that scholars believe China is the biggest winner of the war.