Criteria for War

Hans Blix, head of the UN inspection team, has delivered a somewhat ambivalent report on Iraqi compliance with the UN inspection regime. There is undoubtedly enough there to satisfy many elements within the Bush administration, and perhaps the president himself, that Saddam Hussein has once again shown himself nasty enough to deserve a military attack … Continue reading “Criteria for War”

Destroying the Village to Save Weapons Manufacturers

One of the legacies of the Vietnam War is the now infamous quote from an American military press officer, "we had to destroy the village in order to save it." Rings some bells these days. In the name of "fighting terror," countries with secret weapons programs are poised to pulverize Iraq because of its secret … Continue reading “Destroying the Village to Save Weapons Manufacturers”

Destroying the Village to Save Weapons Manufacturers

One of the legacies of the Vietnam War is the now infamous quote from an American military press officer, "we had to destroy the village in order to save it." Rings some bells these days. In the name of "fighting terror," countries with secret weapons programs are poised to pulverize Iraq because of its secret … Continue reading “Destroying the Village to Save Weapons Manufacturers”

On Some Rhetorical Devices of the War Party

This Tuesday, all will be revealed and all our lingering doubts stilled. We shall stand in wonder at whatever New Doctrines the Great Man, who holds the Great Office, has for us. It is very likely that the new doctrines will grow out of, and represent bolder statements of existing doctrines. I can hardly wait. … Continue reading “On Some Rhetorical Devices of the War Party”

Growing Up

While the War Party brays about all the glorious sacrifices we’ll have to make to win the War on Everyone, and opines that privation on the home front builds character as well as empire, it looks like there’s some wavering in the ranks. Writing in "The Corner," National Review‘s group-blog and mutual admiration society, investment … Continue reading “Growing Up”

America: Deluded, Armed and Dangerous in the Middle East

If Americans understood our last war on Iraq, would we more strongly oppose another one? Do we know what our military does in the real world, where the Pentagon won’t even take our lapdog of a press corps out for a walk? The Gulf War’s ‘video game accuracy’ was a lie told by the Pentagon … Continue reading “America: Deluded, Armed and Dangerous in the Middle East”