April 13, 2003

I'm impressed. I had become so cynical about America's motives for entering this war that I thought for sure we would plant a stash of WMD (Weapons of Mass Destruction) if we didn't succeed in actually finding some. But the Bush Administration does not appear to have any such subterfuge in mind, already now pointing fingers at Syria as the possible holding country of Iraq's WMD reserves.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair told the press on April 8th, with unflinching certitude that Iraq has WMD: "We know as the regime collapses, we will be led to them," he told a press conference.

But the next day, Defense Secretary Rumsfeld admitted the "coalition" forces had yet to unearth any such weapons: "We still need to find and secure Iraq's weapons of mass destruction facilities," he said, as though their existence were a foregone conclusion. Rumsfeld characterized the possibility of WMD leaving Iraq and ending up in the hands of terrorists an 'unhappy prospect'. Certainly the anarchy that has accompanied the war increases the likelihood of unregulated arms smuggling by individuals who have no real interest in finding reputable buyers.

Saddam, however ruthless he may have been, as the ruler of a nation, he had to weigh various interests before aiding unpredictable terrorist organizations. Two-bit arms smugglers will have no such considerations. In the short term, if Iraq does or did have WMD, the U.S.-led war has made the situation less secure.

Currently the U.S. and Britain have a team of their own weapons inspectors, based in Kuwait, charged with the task of finding WMD. Let us hope they are not given orders to produce WMD evidence at all costs.

But even if they do not, the coalition can still point a finger at Syria. The Bush Administration is now vocally accusing Syria of possessing chemical weapons and putting pressure on the nation not to "harbor Iraqis". Asked whether the U.S. might attack Syria if it doesn't turn over Iraqi leaders, Bush said, "They just need to cooperate."

Quickly dispensing with Iraq, we've already begun bullying Syria. The Bush Administration's wayward style is certainly one that is bound to make countries in the region feel a growing insecurity, if not downright hatred towards America. It is a style that is likely to fuel the tempers of terrorists and would-be terrorists. Iraqis in Iran are rejoicing at the downfall of Saddam - but they are also calling for "Death to America" in the same breath.

Last night on CNN a Georgetown Professor admonished Syria for its supposed "adventurism" and said that Syria might soon be making entry into the exclusive club of the "axis of evil". Certainly it is America and Britain, breaking new ground in their launching a preventive war on Iraq, who have proven themselves to be the adventurists? Labeling Syria as a new potential member of the "axis of evil" is akin to a McCarthyist hunt for communists. Who will we finger next?

It is time America muted its coercive and "get tough" rhetoric and went about the business of rebuilding Iraq. Without proof of WMD, our case for launching this war looks very weak.