Iraq, Afghanistan, What Happened?

September 11, 2001

Like many of my fellow Americans, I watched the events that day in horror. I knew that day that our lives had changed forever. What happened next.

Afghanistan

The first action was Afghanistan. The US invaded Afghanistan on Oct 7, 2001, leading a coalition of over 40 countries. All NATO members were a part of the coalition. On Dec 20, 2001, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution authorizing a peacekeeping force in Afghanistan under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter.

Afghanistan was justified based on the September 11 terrorist attacks, and the fact that Afghanistan was harboring the Al-Qaeda organization led by Osama bin Laden.

Iraq

Congress approved the Iraq action against Saddam Hussein’s based on faulty intelligence that Iraq was developing nuclear weapons and had the material.

In the House the Lee Amendment and the Spratt Amendments were defeated. The Lee Amendment sought to work with the United Nations to resolve the matter of weapons of mass destruction. The Spratt Amendment attempted to increase the communication between the US and the United Nations, prior to approval of the use of force by Congress.

Shortly before the war started, I discussed the war with a work acquaintance. He said that we would quickly defeat the Iraqi Army. I did not disagree, but I suggested that we would be unable to leave Iraq for many years. It just was not in the Arab persona to accept a government setup by outside forces. Without Arab allies we would not have the post war legitimacy necessary to win not only the war, but then to win the peace.

So What Should we Learn from this Debacle?

I would suggest clear answers to the following questions before starting a war:

• Is the war justified?
• Is there a clear exit strategy?
• Do we have the support from the international community?

I would agree that the United Nations does not always act in ways which which the United States. But for us to wage a war, we must have international legitimacy. The only body which can provide that is the United Nations.

The United Nations is the litmus test. If we can’t get the UN to agree to military action, then we should not wage war, at least not a war where the goal is to overthrow an existing government. Winning the war is the easy part, it involves the use of force to overpower an opponent. Are we strong enough with our allies to accomplish that goal.

To win the peace requires a long term resolve to build a new government which even the enemy will recognize. We can not do this rebuilding on our own. This resolve must include putting the bad actors who supported our opponents on trial in international court. Winning the peace requires constant diplomacy.

My belief…

I’ll admit I am a pacifist. I don’t believe in war. But in today’s world we have divisions which are not easily overcome. There are also many who would welcome the implosion of our government.

Today’s world is unstable. Our freedoms must be defend constantly in order for us to survive as a free nation.

My hope is that we are up to the task…

And able to stay true to our ideals.