WAR WITH IRAQ IS NOT IN AMERICA’S NATIONAL INTEREST As scholars of international security affairs, we recognize that war is sometimes necessary to ensure our national security or other vital interests. We also recognize that Saddam Hussoin is a tyrant and that Iraq has dofied a number of U.N. resolu- tions. But military force should be used only when it advances U.S. national inter- ests. Wer with Iraq does not meet this stance. + Saddam Hussein is a murderous despot, but no one has provided credible evi- dence that Iraq is cooperating with al Qaeca + Evon if Saddam Hussein acquired nuclear weapons, he could not use them with- out suffering massive U.S. o Israeli retaliation. t Bush Administration cid net try to conquer Iraq in 1991 because it under- stood that doing so could spread instability in the Middle East, threatening U.S interests. This remains a valid concern today. + The United States would win a wer against Iraq, but Iraq has military options— chemical and biological weapons, urban combat—that might impose significant costs on the invaciing forces and neighboring states + Even if we win easily, we have no plausible axit strategy. Iraq is a deeply divided society that the United States would have to occupy and police for many years to create a viable state. + Al Qaeda poses a greater threat to the U.S. than does Iraq. Wer with Iraq will jeop- ardize the campaign against al Qaeda by diverting resources and attention from ‘that camoaign and by Increasing anti-Americanism around the globe. The United States should maintain vigilant containment of Iraq—using its own assets and the resources of the United Nations —and be prepared to invade Iraq tit threatens to attack America or Its allies. That is not the case teday. We should con- centrate insteed on defeating al Qaeda. Plobert J. Art Carl Kaysen George H. Quester Brandeis University MT University of Merylend Richard K. Betts Elizabeth Kier Richard Rosecranes Columbia University University of Washington | UCLA Dale C. Copeland Deborah Larson Thorras ©. Schelling University of Virginia UCLA University of Maryland MichastC. Desch vack 8. Levy Randal L. Schweller University of Kentucky Rutgers University Ohio State University Sumit Ganauly Peter Liberman Glenn H, Saycer University of Texas ‘Queens College University of Nerth Carojina Charles L. Glaser John J. Mearsheimer Jack L. Snyder University of Chicago University of Chicago Columbia University Alexander L. George Steven €. Miller Shiblay Talhari Stanford University Harvard University University of Maryland Richard K. Herrmann Charles C, Moskos Stephon Van Evora, ‘Ohio State University Northwestern University | MIT George C. Hering Robert A. Pape Stephen M. Walt University of Kentucky University of Chicago Harvard University Robert Jervis Barry R. Posen Kenneth N. Waltz Columbia University, Mir Columbia University Chaim Kauimann Robert Powell Cindy Witiams Lehigh University, UC—Barkaley MIT Inctitutione feted for idenifieation purposes only. Pag for by ine signatories end naiicual contriutors (773-702-8667; 617-¢25-57 12)