Informed Speculation

Very interesting feature from Reason – many prominent voices weigh in on the following questions, as illustrated by Christopher Hitchens:

1. Did you support the invasion of Iraq?

Yes: I was an advocate before the fact, not a supporter.

2. Have you changed your position?

Not in the least: I wish only that Saddam had not been able to rely upon Russian and French protection and the influence of oil-for-food racketeers and other political scum.

3. What should the U.S. do in Iraq now?

The United States and its allies should continue to stand for federal democracy, while making Iraq a killing-field for jihadists and fascists and a training ground for an army that will need to intervene again in other failed state/rogue state contexts.

My own answers, not that anyone asked, would be:

1. Yes.

2. No.

3. Put in tighter controls on spending in Iraq, bringing in a ‘reconstruction czar’ of considerable stature. Make a token withdrawal of forces, if the generals will allow (the success of the mission and the safety of the troops must be paramount) to quiet misgivings at home and abroad. Continue to put the Iraqis forward as the face of the military, while providing maximum support when needed. Continue to sell, sell, sell the mission and try to regain the momentum in the court of public opinion.