Can there be a legitimate “anti-war” movement in the present context?
Ledeen: Sure, why not? Folly is thoroughly legitimate. It is the dominant force is human history. Kupchan: It depends on which war. The war against Al-Qaeda is manifestly legitimate and should continue. The impending war against Iraq is more complicated and those opposed to it, depending on their rationales for opposition, may well be relying on sound and legitimate arguments. Hanson: Of course, depending on both the administration’s capability and motive. Should we fight the wrong type of war in Baghdad, take thousands of chemical casualties and get bogged down, all the arm-chair generals will immediately attack the effort in terms of method. We saw some of that frenzy in the last few weeks of Afghanistan when the word “quagmire” was bandied about. In addition, should we expand the war precipitously and began fighting in Lebanon, Syria, Iran, or Libya all at once, there would be an immediate outcry of hubris. But so far, the present measured and steady response is hard to fault – whic
