I would like to weigh in on the War with Iraq issue. As much as it would be expedient to have a preemptory strike I agree with other worthies that making noises about or actually unilaterally opening up hostilities is counter-productive. This practice would completely squander whatever deterrence we have. Instead we should be doing everything we can to mitigate any first blow we may receive from our opponent and make it clear that retaliation would be swift and sure if he decides to strike such a blow. At the same time we should do everything possible to limit the military capabilities Iraq but stay short of direct military action ourselves.

The really difficult part but the morally essential part is to be willing to stand and suffer that blow before taking offensive action. That suffering is what would give us the moral high ground that we need to secure the support of our allies and world opinion. I hope the current administration and the pundits in general have the courage to wait and take it.

I grant that this approach leaves Saddam relatively free to continue developing his WMD but it is our best hope for preventing their use. We need to be in a position to say to Saddam, “Go ahead, punk. Make my day.” We need that make it clear that we are capable and willing to retaliate if given sufficient injury. At the same time we need to make it clear that Saddam holds his fate in his own hands and that we are not going to take that decision out of his hands.