Introduction: From the Elite to the Public, from the Public to the Elite

These words, pronounced in the 2003 State of the Union address, perfectly describe the frame of the U.S. administration with respect to the Iraq crisis. While addressing a large audience, President Bush portrayed a problematic effect , the existence of a severe threat against America, its allies, and peace in the world; the cause of this threat, the Iraqi regime and its leader, Saddam Hussein; a moral judgement , condemnation of this regime as an ‘evil’ ‘tyranny’ with links to international terrorism and in possession of weapons of mass destruction (WMD); and the initial remedy , a pre-emptive war against Iraq as a necessary and anticipatory self-defence action to ensure the country’s security.