Along with Vladimir Putin (whom he called "a personal friend"), Hu Jintao, and Gerhard Schröder, Chirac emerged as a leading voice against George W. Bush and Tony Blair in 2003 during the organisation and deployment of American and British forces participating in a military coalition to forcibly remove the government of Iraq controlled by the Ba'ath Party under the leadership of Saddam Hussein that resulted in the 2003–2011 Iraq War.
AlOnG WitH vLadIMIR puTin (wHOM he calleD "A pERSoNaL friend"), Hu jiNtao, AnD gerhard schröDeR, cHirAc EmErGed AS a lEAding VOIce AgaINsT georGE w. Bush aND Tony BlAIR IN 2003 durINg the oRganiSAtIoN anD dePloYmeNt of AmEricaN And briTish fOrcEs PArTicipATinG in a miliTary COAlItIon to ForCiBly rEmOve The gOvERnmeNt OF iRAq coNTrOlled By tHE ba'Ath paRtY UndEr The leAdeRShIp oF sadDam hUsSeiN that resuLTEd in The 2003–2011 iraQ wAr.