With Operation Iraqi Freedom less than a week old, emotions are still running high on both sides of the protest line. With the actualization of months, and possibly decades, of threats the beginning of military hostilities demands we look at all the facets this war will touch.
-- In light of coalition's decision to act despite the opposition of major allies, how does the United States proceed to build consensus and relationships on other issues in the future? What impact will this precedent have?
-- What precautions are being taken to ensure the safety of Iraqi civilians, especially during campaigns that involve thousands of bombs covering many targets? How are the safety concerns of innocents being balanced with military objectives?
-- In the inevitable reconstruction of Iraq, how will the ownership of Iraq's vast natural resources be determined? How much, if any of it, is due the nations paying to rebuild infrastructure?
-- How will \victory"" be defined? What outcome is necessary for military action in Iraq to be considered worth the costs?
-- How will the new regime in Iraq be structured? Given decades under an oppressive dictator, what steps will be taken to build democracy? How will historically oppressed groups like the Kurds play into the new government?
-- How will the financial costs of war and reconstruction be dealt with? In addition to the immediate costs of missiles, troops and vehicles, how will the long-term costs of occupation and nation-building be dealt with--especially without a strong alliance to share the burden?
-- How are the Iraqi soldiers who are surrendering being dealt with? In a post-Saddam Iraq, how will those who surrendered and those who did not be treated and what roles will they play in government and society?
-- How long are the members of the coalition willing to commit themselves to reconstruction? What efforts are being taken to ensure that the process will be seen through to its completion?
-- What is the future of the United Nations? With this war being waged without U.N. approval, how will it claim legitimacy in the future? What can the United Nations do in the short-term and long-term with reconstruction to maintain its potency?
-- How will this war and rebuilding effort be affected by a possible presidential change in 2004? Will the probable ongoing conflict and/or reconstruction mean a preservation of the status quo? If there is a change, how will the mission in Iraq change?
With a war that faces as much opposition and controversy as the war with Iraq, we must not ignore issues or concerns brought up by either side of the debate. Pre-emptive war in spite of traditional allies is uncharted water. With a war like this we must go in with our eyes wide open.
