Iraq again
Fantastic post on whether the pro-war left have been guilty of closing down the debate over at the newly relaunched Dsquared-digest.I'll let you read it except to make two points that I particularly agree with.
First of the three 'famous' liberal-lefty columnists who supported the invasion of Iraq D-squared orders them (in willingness to prefer arguing that getting rid of Saddam was a benefit of the war, rather than something that makes everything else superflous) Aaranovitch, Cohen and Hitchens. This is surely right -- indeed I predict that if any of them changes their mind it will be Aaranovitch, and probably sooner rather than later (the appointment of John Negroponte might be his last straw -- Hitchens on the other hand must have tonnes of the stuff lying around as collateral from his famous War on it).
Second although I am "optimistic" about the outcome of the war, having noted the massive discrepancy of power between the coalition and the terrorists/insurgents/etc, it's clear the confidence we all had (in varying degrees) in the coalition's willingness and ability to bring democracy and liberty to Iraq was misplaced. The main hope now lies in the fact that ordinary Iraqis clearly would prefer to live in the Switzerland of the Middle East rather than its Gaza, rather than anything the coalition will do, which is why despite the security situation the troops out lobby is gaining ground. Many who supported the war are reluctant to recognise this situation, and thus unable to offer more than token criticism of any US decision. Hence you get the absurd situation where the British PM and Cabinet (if you believe eminently believable stories in the papers) is much more critical of the White House than the pro-war left.
Harry replies, essentially arguing that nothing else mattered but Saddam's removal. This is an attractive and honest viewpoint, though I think it slightly misses the point, which is that Saddam's removal is an obvious plus point to the pro-war view, and a large one, but it remains still only a plus point. There are also other plus points, but there have been many negatives, and you have to weigh them all up. I think this might perhaps indicate the difference between liberals, and the left (in pro- and anti-forms).
PS - Of course there was a fourth 'famous' pro-war left commentator, Johann Hari, who of I was once rather dismissive . I note he has another new photograph above today's excellent column (not online yet). And this column on Richard Littlejohn is fantastic. On the war also I think he has been generous in his doubt, and sceptical in his support for the Republicans. Oh how wrong I was!
posted by Matthew @ 4/20/2004 03:53:00 PM
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