Meaning: The quote by Lakhdar Brahimi, a prominent Algerian diplomat and public servant, touches on the complex and controversial issue of foreign intervention and invasion in Iraq. In this quote, Brahimi highlights the distinction between a failing state that requires assistance and a country that has been invaded despite functioning, albeit with significant challenges such as the presence of a brutal dictator.

To fully understand the significance of this quote, it is important to delve into the context in which it was made. Lakhdar Brahimi has had a distinguished career in diplomacy, including serving as the United Nations Special Advisor to the Secretary-General and as a UN envoy in various conflict zones. His wealth of experience in dealing with international crises and conflicts lends weight to his perspective on the situation in Iraq.

Brahimi's assertion that Iraq is a country that has been invaded reflects the widely held view that the 2003 invasion of Iraq by a coalition led by the United States was a controversial and divisive decision. The invasion, which aimed to overthrow the regime of Saddam Hussein and eliminate perceived weapons of mass destruction, sparked intense debate within the international community and remains a contentious issue to this day.

The statement also draws attention to the fact that Iraq was a functioning country, albeit under the oppressive rule of Saddam Hussein, prior to the invasion. Despite the challenges posed by the dictator's regime, Iraq had a functioning government, infrastructure, and society. Brahimi's use of the phrase "functioning good or bad" acknowledges the complexities of governing a country under such conditions and underscores the reality that Iraq was a functioning entity prior to the invasion.

Moreover, Brahimi's characterization of the invasion as an act of aggression is a pointed critique of the decision to intervene militarily in Iraq. By emphasizing that Iraq was not a failing state in need of external assistance, he challenges the narrative that the invasion was justified on humanitarian grounds. Instead, he asserts that the invasion disrupted the existing functioning state and plunged the country into a protracted period of instability and conflict.

The reference to the "horrible dictator" alludes to the oppressive and repressive nature of Saddam Hussein's regime, acknowledging the human rights abuses and suffering experienced by the Iraqi people under his rule. While acknowledging the brutality of the dictator, Brahimi's statement serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in addressing such regimes and the potential consequences of external intervention.

In conclusion, Lakhdar Brahimi's quote encapsulates a critical perspective on the invasion of Iraq and its aftermath. It underscores the disruption caused by the invasion of a functioning country and challenges the narrative that foreign intervention was necessary to address a failing state. By framing the invasion as an act of aggression, Brahimi contributes to the ongoing discourse surrounding the consequences of military intervention and the complexities of addressing oppressive regimes in the international arena.