Will Dunham

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) –Colin Powell was the first Black U.S. Secretary of State and the top American military officer for decades. However, his reputation was tarnished in 2003 after he used spurious intelligence from the United Nations to justify war against Iraq despite having deep reservations.

Powell, who died on Monday https://www.reuters.com/world/us/ex-joint-chiefs-staff-powell-dies-covid-complications-facebook-post-2021-10-18 at age 84 from complications of COVID-19 despite being fully vaccinated, was the son of Jamaican immigrants who rose to hold senior military and civilian posts and helped guide American actions during two Iraq wars.

Powell, a long-standing American Black leader, was an example of America’s greatest Black leaders. Powell was appointed to three senior positions by Republican Presidents. He also rose up the ranks in the U.S. Military as the country recovered its strength from the Vietnam War.

Powell was injured in Vietnam and served from 1987 through 1989 as the U.S. National Security Advisor under President Ronald Reagan. He was a four-star Army General and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff military under President George H.W. Bush in the 1991 Gulf War, when U.S. forces drove out Iraqi troops from Kuwait.

Powell was a moderate Republican and pragmaticist. He considered running for the presidency in 1996 to be the first Black president. However, Alma Powell’s concerns about Powell’s safety led him to abandon that idea. He voted for Barack Obama in 2008, and 2012 again, breaking with his party.

Powell, who became increasingly disenchanted with his party amid its further shift to the right and embrace of Donald Trump, subsequently endorsed Democrats Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Joe Biden last year in their presidential races against the businessman-turned-politician. Powell described Trump as a liar and a threat to the United States.

Powell’s presentation to U.N. Security Council on February 5, 2003 will be forever associated with Powell’s argument that Saddam Hussein, the Iraqi President, posed an imminent threat to the entire world due to his stockpiles chemical and biological weapons.

Later, he admitted that his presentation contained inaccuracies as well as twisted intelligence from Bush officials. He said that it was “a blot” and would “always remain a part my record.”

Bush selected Powell in 2001 to be secretary of State, as he was the most senior U.S. Military officer during his father’s presidency.

Four turbulent years were endured by Powell as top U.S. diplomat. He was often outmaneuvered frequently by Vice President Dick Cheney, with whom he had worked closely under President Bush, and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.

U.S. troops are already fighting a conflict in Afghanistan, after al Qaeda leaders based in Afghanistan plotted Sept. 11 attacks. Bush Administration hawks started to support war with Iraq.

Powell advocated for diplomacy to take control of the situation in Iraq. Powell had reservations over a war and the veracity or intelligence regarding Iraqi weapons. He also questioned the Pentagon’s insistent on an insignificant invasion force.

“YOU OWN IT” –

Powell warned Bush privately about the immense difficulties involved in invading, occupying Iraq. He invoked the Pottery Barn rule, which refers to the name of a store, “You break, it’s yours.”

Powell, the Bush Cabinet’s most revered member globally, agreed to publicize the case for war to gain international support.

He displayed diagrams and photographs purporting detail on Iraqi weapons, along with translations of U.S. intelligence intercepts, in the Security Council Chamber. Powell presented a small vial that contained a teaspoon simulated anthrax and stated that Iraq still had not been accounted.

Six weeks later, the invasion was launched. However, these weapons weren’t found. It weakened American credibility and lasted for several years. From 2003 to 2011, nearly 4500 American soldiers were killed in action and 32,000 others wounded.

Powell stated to Powell, in a 2006 book, that he was five days ahead the U.N. presentation and “trimming” the trash that Cheney’s staff had presented as evidence of Saddam’s weapons programs.

There were people within the intelligence community that knew that certain sources weren’t reliable and didn’t want to be trusted. They did not speak out. It was a terrible experience,” Powell said to Barbara Walters, an interviewer in 2005.

Powell was a loyal soldier at the time. He wasn’t threatening to leave protesting or voicing his concern to the rest of the world.

Powell told the 2005 interview that loyalty was something he valued and that he was loyal. Some people say that you shouldn’t support it and should have quit. Saddam Hussein has been expelled.

After Bush’s November 2004 election, Powell announced his resignation to Bush in “mutual agreements”. Bush called Powell, “one of our greatest public servants.”

POWELL DOCTRINE

He was renowned for his “Powell Doctrine” regarding the U.S. military use. This doctrine was developed out of the unclear objectives and unreliable troop builds-ups of Vietnam War era.

This doctrine says that war is not an option; use of force should only be used as a last resort. There must also be strong support from the public and clear exit strategies.

Powell was born in New York City, April 5, 1937. His parents were a shipping clerk, and a Jamaican seamstress. They arrived in America in 1920 aboard the “bananaboat” of the United Fruit Company.

Powell’s key to success was military’s reserve officer training corps (ROTC), an academic program designed for students at universities that challenged his energy as he was, according to his admission, a very uninspired student at City College of New York.

In 1958, he was made a second lieutenant of the U.S. Army.

His 35-year service in the Army included two combat tours in Vietnam, as well as postings to West Germany and South Korea. A “Punji stick,” a booby trap, was placed near Vietnam’s border. He also sustained injuries in a helicopter accident.

While serving in the Army under Richard Nixon’s presidency, he was awarded a White House Fellowship and gained the admiration of senior officials that would later serve as Reagan’s top aides. Between 1989 and 1993, he served as the chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Powell made a name for himself during the 1991 Gulf War. His crisp television briefings were televised and made him a household name.

He was the U.S. Military’s top officer and opposed gay service in military. However, Obama, the president, reversed his views in 2010.

Powell, after deciding to not run in 1996 for President, gave a speech that year at the Republican Convention endorsing Bob Dole over Democrat Bill Clinton. Dole was also president during Powell’s last months as Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff.

When Powell stated that he supports abortion rights, affirmative action to assist minorities and was stepping down from the San Diego Conventional Delegates Association (CTDA), there were boos.

Alma Powell, Powell’s wife, was married to him in 1962. Powell married Alma in 1962. They had three kids, one of which was Michael Powell.