I got asked on a mailing list why my views on the Iraqi war are so simplistic and one-sided. Ouch! Here’s how I replied:

Like many people, I’m ambivalent about it. I am completely suspicious of the actual motives of the Bush administration and don’t trust the information it’s providing. But I don’t need Bush to tell me that Saddam is a horror that we should never have supported in the first place. That doesn’t necessarily mean that this war is the best way to get rid of him: the carnage may be too high, the final outcome may be worse for the Iraqis, the region may become embroiled in war, Hussein may destroy Israel and Boston on his way out, we may unilaterally destroy the alliances and goodwill towards us that has made the world safer, and IMO we are likely to start a 100 years war against a terrorist movement that is strengthened and emboldened by our attack. How many American cities are you prepared to lose in retaliation for this war?

Note the “may’s” and “if’s.” It could all go great and none of the bad things may happen. I believe that, which is why I’m ambivalent. Ambivalent but not undecided.

Finally, my best guess about why Bush has rummaged through every possible justification for going to war is that we really want to show the world that we are in charge: we are the only superpower and we are willing to use our power. John Perry Barlow says that everyone gets out of the way of the driver who’s unpredictably weaving down the road, and the Iraq war is intended to show that we are willing to intervene unpredictably. But bringing peace through power works only so long as the bad guys can’t get their hands on any boxcutters. Our only hope for long-term safety, IMO, is to live in the world generously, building bridges and trust by showing the generous and loving side of the American character. So, even if all goes perfectly with the war, it will (I’m afraid) establish a policy that I think makes us and our children far less safe.

Notice that I haven’t mentioned WMD. I personally don’t believe that the war has even the slightest thing to do with that.

Categories: Uncategorized dw