WAR SCORECARD
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James Joyner | Wednesday, March 26, 2003 |
Thomas Friedman argues there are six measures of success for this war. I agree with all of them but #4, and have a slight quibble with #2.
I am not opposed to an independent Kurdistan emerging from this war. The Kurds are in no real way “Iraqi” and they have a right to national self-determination.
I agree that the war will not be successful without the removal of Saddam from power. It does not, however, follow that this is therefore “a war against one man.” If Saddam were removed but one of his sons or cronies emerged as the leader of a Saddam-like regime, this war would still be a failure. The war is about regime change first and disarmament second–the opposite of the way it has been portrayed.
With those exceptions noted, I believe we will indeed achieve each of Friedman’s goals. Military victory is a given, only the cost in blood and treasure is uncertain. And Friedman’s scorecard seems to be one that the Coalition is using as well.
About the Author: James Joyner is the publisher of Outside the Beltway and the managing editor of the Atlantic Council. He's a former Army officer, Desert Storm vet, and college professor with a PhD in political science from The University of Alabama. He lives just outside the Beltway in Alexandria, Virginia.
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