'War of Necessity, War of Choice': Author examines reasons why U.S. went to war in Iraq -- twice

Courtesy Photo | Richard N. Haass is the president of the Council on Foreign Relations. He has worked for presidents Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush in various posts at the Departments of Defense and State and the White House. Haass was on the National Security Council staff all four years with the George H. W. Bush administration and at the Department of State the first two and a half years of George W. Bush's presidency.  

UNITED STATES

08.04.2009

Story by Lance Cpl. Jerrick J. Griffin 

1st Marine Logistics Group

"At first blush, the two wars appear similar. Both involved a president Bush and the United States in conflicts with Iraq and Suddam Hussein. There, however, the resemblance ends."

This is an excerpt from the 278-page book, "War of Necessity, War of Choice," written by Richard N. Haass, who compares the decisions that brought about the two Iraq wars. He also makes a distinction between the 1991 and the 2003 Iraq wars.

According to Haass, the first Iraq war, after Suddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, was a "war of necessity." It was limited in ambition, well-executed and carried out with a lot of international support. It used air power alone in the beginning phase of the war and sent more than half a million U.S. service members to execute overwhelming military force.

In comparison, the second Iraq war was a "war of choice," and the most important optional war the United States has fought since Vietnam, according to Haass. Haass argues that it was not necessary, because the United States had other policy options. He also argues that it was fought out of ambition and poorly thought out. Unlike the first war, it had more international opposition than support.

Haass was on the National Security Council staff all four years with the George H. W. Bush administration and at the Department of State the first two and a half years of George W. Bush's presidency.

This book may give readers a better understanding of what really happened with the wars of Iraq, in terms of reasons why the wars were fought, the benefits and the costs. It also offers an examination of U.S. foreign policy, how it should be made, what it should accomplish and how it should be pursued.

This is a great book for military personnel to read, especially those who fought in both wars, so they can get a better understanding of what really goes on when the president calls for war.

"War of Necessity, War of Choice" is available at the Mainside Library, Building 1146. The library can be reached at 760-725-5104 or 760-725-5669.

• Date Taken: 08.04.2009
• Date Posted: 08.04.2009 16:43
• Story ID: 37143
• Location: US