From Deseret News archives:
Iraq war is not in U.S. interest
There is no more sobering debate in a democracy than whether to go to war. As teachers of politics and international relations, our careers are dedicated to studying national security, the rule of law in international affairs, and the causes and consequences of war. Unlike a country that is invaded and must respond quickly, the decision to invade Iraq is one that can accommodate a full discussion of U.S. national interests and the principles that we seek to follow.
Virtually everyone recognizes that Saddam Hussein is a tyrant responsible for monstrous atrocities and that Iraq has ignored a number of U.N. resolutions. We also realize that the threat of invasion may produce the removal of Saddam, and we would welcome that result.
The question before the American people, however, is whether it is in our interest as a nation, and consistent with our longstanding principles, to now invade Iraq. It is our judgment that it is not in our interest to do so. We can win the battle with Iraq, but we cannot win all the conflicts that will follow.
All wars result in unintended consequences. The proposed attack on Iraq, which many of our friends and allies oppose, combined with the current instability of regimes in the Islamic world, greatly increases the possibility of severe and wide-ranging consequences. In attacking Iraq to make the United States secure, we may in fact heighten our insecurity and the insecurity of countless citizens of other states.
If Saddam is overthrown, what happens next in Iraq? Successful military occupations are very rare. Those that worked have in common the belief among the conquered that their way was wrong and the conqueror's ways are right.
Because many Iraqis hate Saddam, many will indeed welcome his removal. But hating Saddam does not mean they will welcome our occupying forces. If our forces are seen as illegitimate, they become targets of terrorism for years to come. Under these circumstances, how long are we willing to occupy Iraq?
Comments
- Today on TV 12:49 a.m.
- Wanted: Bank robber with bad breath 12:40 a.m.
- Philippine police clash with clan 12:28 a.m.
- Officer responding to call killed 12:28 a.m.
- Editorial: Fine-tune state workweek 12:18 a.m.
- Let's keep energy money in the U.S. 12:18 a.m.
- How to pay for the war 12:17 a.m.
- Feast of Guadalupe nourishes soul 12:17 a.m.
- Obama's strategy is a road map 12:17 a.m.
- Letters: 'Political priestcraft' 12:17 a.m.
- Y., U. to learn bowl destinations
- BYU and Utah's bowl games
- BYU professor remembered
- The forgotten ship: USS Utah
- Branch president without a congregation
- Utahns want health care reform bills
- BYU basketball: Cougars crush Dons
- Kurt Bestor: Joy for the world
- Jazz upset by Wolves
- Urn of baby rests with sailors
- Letters: Liberal because LDS
257 - Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing
214 - Hate not limited to 1 in-state rivalry
189 - Aggies shoot past Cougars
179 - N.Y. Senate rejects gay marriage
130 - George lost in rivalry hatefest
113 - TCU to play Boise in Fiesta Bowl
110 - Unbeaten BYU takes trip to Logan
105 - Ed Smart 'appalled' at testimony
97 - Harpring's NBA career is over
95
Trolley Square's annual Holiday Open House will feature visits with...
That does it — I'm having an affair! Thanks to Tiger Woods, David...
First, a big thank you to all who posted questions here for me to ask...
Sorry earlier I meant to say that tracks seems to travel at 35 miles an hour...
'Peter Frumhoff, the director of science and policy at the Union of...
The Non-BCS crowd ought to create their own title game...their own brand, and...
That's the whole of your defense of GOP resistance to badly-needed ethics...
Your criticism should hardly be focused on Bennett alone. What about all the...
'Wired's Threat Level blog reported on November 20 that Gavin Schmidt, a...
The reality of climate change is supported by multiple lines of evidence and...
I had the priviledge of staying in the LeBaron home on severl occasions as I...
So the unemployment rate has dropped to "just" 10%, huh? I wonder what that...
Ahh for the love of money...what money can buy!!!



You can be the first to comment on this story.