Anyone interested in pre-emptive and preventative war, and its likely role in
American foreign policy, could do no better than read Michael Walzer’s "Just
and Unjust Wars: A Moral Argument with Historical Illustrations." First
published in 1977, updated versions taking into account more recent events,
have appeared. It is studied in Ivy League and armed forces academy poly sci
classes, the students of which generally intend to pursue careers in
statescraft or the military. It has influenced, among other significant
personages, Kenneth Pollack, Director for Persian Gulf Affairs, National
Security Council, in the Carter Administration, and author of "The Threatening
Storm: The Case for Invading Iraq," as well as Philip Bobbitt, Senior Director
for Strategic Planning, National Security Council, in the Clinton
Administration, and author of "The Shield of Achilles: War and Peace in the
Course of History."
It should be pointed out that all the above men are more or less left-of-center
politically, and Democrats, but both Pollack and Bobbitt have been influential
in shaping the Bush Administration's Iraq policy, using, at least in part
Walzer's (an ardent Vietnam War critic) ideas.

If nothing else, reading Walzer will provide insight into why Sir Arthur Harris
was treated the way he was after WW2 was over.


Chris Mark