Testing the Iraq Hypotheses by Fred E. Foldvary, Senior Editor
Science has two types of theorems, pure and specific. Pure
theory applies generally, and specific theory applies to
particular situations. Specific theory is obtained by proposing
a tentative proposition, a hypothesis, and then testing it with
data. Posit hypothesis (1) about Iraq: the main purpose of the
invasion was to eliminate the purported grievances claimed by Al
Qaeda as the reasons for its attacks against the USA on
September 11, 2001. Hypothesis testing requires alternative
hypotheses, so the alternatives in this case were (2) that the
US chiefs have primarily an imperialist reason for invading
Iraq, to control its oil and exert power over the Middle East,
or (3) that the primary reason was to eliminate Iraq's weapons
of mass destruction. One grievance of Al Qaeda is the presence
of 5000 US combat troops in Saudi Arabia, which tarnishes holy
Islamic ground. A second grievance is the trade sanctions which
for 13 years have limited trade wi