An invasion of Iraq would only be warranted under these most extreme
circumstances. Unfortunately, the most extreme circumstances are entirely
plausible. Invading Iraq would not be another Grenada, Panama, or Desert Storm.
It would represent the deepest, most immediate, and most protracted investment of
American lives, diplomacy, prestige, and political capital since Vietnam. It could,
in these relatively benign strategic times, be the defining moment of one or more
American administrations. Faced with the specter of a nuclear Saddam, it is a
moment worth contemplating.
Real leadership from an American President can shape the will and ambitions of
the international community. President Clinton or his successor should not be
tempting into kicking the Iraq can down the road yet again. Instead, the President
should invest the political capital necessary to make the case against Saddam and
mobilize domestic and international opinion in the direction of removing him. If
Hussein is dangerous enough for the world laboriously to keep in a box, he is
dangerous enough to expel from Iraq. The campaign to build the case for
undermining and overthrowing Iraq will be long, difficult, and accomplished only
with much diplomatic sweat, military muscle, and the blood of many involved.
Having undertaken some limited military action in the past weeks, perhaps
President Clinton answered in his mind the question of whether it was worth
fighting for. That same question should be put before Congress. If the answer is
yes, the fight should at least accomplish something important.
