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Thoughts on the Tenth Anniversary of the Iraq War

Mar 05, 2013
by Caroline Miller
"A Letter to Paul Wolfowitz", Andrew J. Bacevich, Lloyd George, Paul Wolfowitz
2 Comments

Recently, I remembered that we’d passed the tenth anniversary of the Iraq war. I was reminded by an open letter that appeared in Harper’s magazine, written by Andrew J. Bacevich to, Paul Wolfowitz, one of the war’s chief architects. (“A Letter to Paul Wolfowitz” by Andrew J. Bacevich, Harper’s 3/13m pgs. 48-49) Bacevich worked with Wolfowitz at one time and his tone is respectful but the letter expressed his regret for one policy carried out by the George W. Bush administration: the doctrine of preemptive war.

 Like most Americans, I was shocked when President Bush announced he was taking the country in a new direction, convinced that our position as a world leader dictated that we accept preemptive war as a necessary requirement for our nation’s safety. I found the statement similar to one ascribed to Britain’s Prime Minister, Lloyd George, during World War I: that it was a war to end wars. But in the case of the Bush/Wolfowitz’s doctrine, no longer would we wait for a hostile action against us, we would strike if we sensed hostility was imminent. (Ibid. Pg. 49) In this case, the notion of justice was similar to that in the film Minority Report where an individual could be arrested for a crime before it is committed in order to prevent the crime.

 With the passing of the sad anniversary of the Iraq war, I hope our leaders will resist the temptation to revive the notion of preemptive war. There are those in the world who would like to see it revived, as in the case of Iran’s growing nuclear capability. But there are no good wars, preemptive or otherwise, only impoverished victors and thousands if not hundreds of thousands of innocent victims.

 I have lived through many wars, few of which, looking back, seemed necessary. Having shed countless tears for them, I have no wish to do the same for anticipatory ones, the Iraq war being a prime example. Historians, biographers and novelists are already busy chronicling centuries of violence in our quest for peace and safety. Peace and safety aren’t always good traveling companions, nor are justice and safety. What I do know is that war is a foolish path to follow to reach a peaceful objective.

The war to end wrs

 

 

 

 

 

 

(The War to End Wars Courtesy of en.wikipedia.org)

 

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2 Comments
  1. Jiyul Kim March 16, 2013 at 7:29 pm Reply
    Dear Caroline, a very thoughtful reflection of a terrible period in our history. I have read Bacevich's open letter that comes from a tortured soul who seeks truth and justice so that we won't repeat such a tragedy - he lost his only son in Iraq in 2007. I am using it in a course I teach at Oberlin College on historical and cultural factors that should inform the formulation of national security policy and strategy. I also use other writings by Bacevich who is one of our most credible, thoughtful and articulate critic of America's role and place in the world today. I should point out one rather significant mistake in your musing. You use "preemptive" when you really mean "preventive." The difference between the two is almost like night and day. Preemptive is attacking to spoil an imminent attack from a clear and recognizable foe because one has irrefutable evidence of their preparation and decision. Under international law this is legal and falls under the inalienable right to self defense. Two examples come to mind of such preemptive wars: Israel in 1948 and 1967. Preventive war is attacking because one thinks the other is a potential foe who hypothetically can develop the capability and will to attack you in some indeterminate future. This is illegal under international law and it is this policy that was introduced by Wolfowitz and other neo-conservatives and codified under President Bush. This is the target of Bacevich's missive. I should also point out that I have served in the US Army for 30 years and retired just a few years ago. My last few years in the Army was spent teaching national security policy and strategy at the Army War College where our senior officers closely debate issues like this. I am glad to report that I have never run into an officer who supported a Preventive War policy. I am not familiar with your writing but I wish you well in your endeavors. From Oberlin, Ohio.
    • Caroline Miller March 17, 2013 at 6:36 am Reply
      Dear Jiyulkin@gmail, Thank you for your reply and on behalf of my readers and I, I thank you for making the distinction between preemptive and preventative war. I did error and I confess, it was my ignorance. In the parlanceof war, I made no distinction. Such can be the misunderstandings of the everyday citizen. Your clarification is helpful. I always appreciate readers who take the time to share their knowledge or impressions. I learn so much, which is, of course, the point of writing a blog.

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Contact Caroline at

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Portland, Oregon author Caroline Miller had distinguished careers as an educator, union president, elected official and artist/advocate.

Her play, Woman on the Scarlet Beast, was performed at the Post5 Theatre, Portland, OR, January/February 2015

Caroline published a serialized novelette, Marie Eau-Claire, on the website, The Colored Lens.  She also published the story Gustav Pavel,  a parable about ordinary lives, choice and alternate potential, on the website Fixional.co.

Caroline has published five novels

  • Getting Lost To Find Home
  • Ballet Noir
  • Trompe l’Oeil
  • Gothic Spring
  • Heart Land

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