Finally, a prominent Republican is talking some sense when it comes to Iraq. I never thought I'd see the day when I would find myself agreeing with James Baker, the former Secretary of State. Nonetheless, Baker offers some wise counsel that Shrub and his minions would do well to heed.
"Although the United States could certainly succeed, we should try our best not to have to go it alone, and the president should reject the advice of those who counsel doing so," Baker wrote.
"The costs in all areas will be much greater, as will the political risks, both domestic and international, if we end up going it alone or with only one or two countries."
Baker said, however, that he believes the only "realistic way" to bring about regime change is through military force, including "sufficient" ground troops to occupy the country.
"Anyone who thinks we can effect regime change in Iraq with anything less than this is simply not realistic," Baker said.
The former chief diplomat urged Bush to build an international coalition like the one he and the president's father brought together during the Persian Gulf War.
He suggested Bush consider pursuing a U.N. Security Council resolution requiring Iraq to submit to an "intrusive inspections regime" and authorizing "all necessary means" to enforce those inspections.
"Some will argue, as was done in 1990, that going for United Nations authority and not getting it will weaken our case," Baker said.
"I disagree. By proposing to proceed in such a way, we will be doing the right thing, both politically and substantively. We will occupy the moral high ground."
There is nothing to be gained by attacking Iraq unilaterally, though testosterone-crazed WingNuts like Tom DeLay seem to think it's a matter of national pride. The Gulf War and the war against al-Qaeda in Afghanistan were and are examples of what can be accomplished when the US works in concert with other governments. Attacking Iraq without the buy-in of the international community runs the risk of seeing the US isolated and bereft of credibility.
James Baker has a point, and it is time that the Shrub Administration accepts counsel from someone who has been there before and knows of what he speaks. Though Baker and I reside on opposite ends of the ideological spectrum, I respect his experience and judgement. In this case, he has Shrub dead to rights.
