![The US invasion of Iraq has had catastrophic consequences in the middle east, including for al-Qaida, ISIS, and Saddam Hussein.](https://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/us-iraq-invasion-al-qaida-isis-saddam-hussein-war-03212023-1.jpg?w=519&h=259&crop=1)
It has been 20 years since the U.S. led an illegal invasion of Iraq to topple the regime of Saddam Hussein. The invasion unleashed a series of catastrophes for Iraq, the wider Middle East and the world. These catastrophic outcomes remain with us today, and it is worth reflecting on the most enduring ones and their effects.