The legality of the war in Iraq. Pre-emptive self-defence and the invasion of Iraq: what are the legal boundaries?

This paper argues that the war was illegal underlining other ongoing violations, war crimes and crimes against humanity. In the light of the recent Chilcot Inquiry and for the sake of these families affected by the decision to go to war, it will be also discussed the recurring questions among citizens: in case the war was a crime of aggression, are those who decided to go to Iraq criminals? If so, who is going to take international community’s calls for responsibility to protect and international state building seriously after what happened in Iraq? Evidently there is the danger that other countries will depart from international law in the future and that American’s behaviour might generate tougher anti-Americanism and wars. Finally, a serious question must be answered: what does international law mean if there is no enforcement of it?