Sunday, August 09, 2015

Comparing the Gulf War to the Iraq War

That's what former Ambassador Joseph Wilson does in today's Boston Globe. Wilson was our ambassador to Iraq during the 1990-1991 Gulf War. Unlike the Iraq War, the Gulf War was not fought mainly by us; 32 nations contributed troops; 90 percent of the costs of the war were borne by other nations; and 12 resolutions were passed by the UN Security Council. That's because the administration of George H. W. Bush was filled with realists and pragmatists. And the important result of "operating on the basis of international consensus, law, and convention led to our enhancing our national security, strategic position, and prestige."

Contrast that with "Fortunately, unlike today, in the aftermath of the Gulf War we never had to suffer the ignominy of preening political peacocks abusing their congressional power to seek partisan advantage."

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