May 20, 2004 | |
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Iraq War Rationale: Version 10.0
By: P.J. Crowley & Robert O. Boorstin Center for American Progress* - In the year since the invasion of Iraq, the Bush administration has repeatedly shifted its justification for going to war and constantly changed its story on intelligence, the United Nations, reconstruction, political transition and the cost to the American taxpayer. More than anything, the administration's war in Iraq resembles a software program that, at first, works brilliantly, but then catches the user in a cycle of "fatal error" messages. Here then, in Silicon Valley terms, is a review of the Bush administration's year in Iraq: Saddam Hussein poses an 'imminent threat' to the American people. Foreign Policy In Focus Version 1.0 - Saddam Hussein is an imminent threat Version 1.01 - Saddam Hussein is a gathering threat Version 1.02 - Saddam Hussein poses a real and dangerous threat Version 1.1 - The smoking gun will be a mushroom cloud Version 1.2 - We can't afford to wait Version 1.3 - We never said imminent Version 1.3.1 - OK, maybe we did say it once or twice Version 1.4 - We should have been more precise Saddam Hussein is ready to use weapons of mass destruction. Version 2.1 - Saddam has weapons of mass destruction Version 2.2 - Saddam has nuclear weapons Version 2.3 - Saddam has biological agents he's never accounted for Version 2.3.1 - The trailers are mobile labs for producing chemical weapons Version 2.3.2 - Unmanned aircraft are ready to spread Saddam's biological weapons Version 2.4 - Saddam's going to make more of all these weapons Version 2.5 - We all know where the weapons are Version 2.5.1 - Well, Saddam has used weapons of mass destruction Version 2.5.2 - Iraq is a big country. We'll find the weapons eventually Version 2.5.3 - Saddam had weapons of mass destruction programs Version 2.5.4 - Saddam had "weapons of mass destruction program related activities" Version 2.5.5 - David Kay? Who's David Kay? Version 2.6 - It's not about misleading the American people - Saddam Hussein is gone and that's the most important thing The intelligence is clear. Version 3.0 - We based our statements on our available intelligence Version 3.1 - Saddam tried to buy uranium ore in Niger Version 3.1.2 - Well, that was what the British told us Version 3.1.3 - Did we tell you about Joe Wilson's wife? Version 3.1.4 - Do you know a good lawyer? Version 3.2 - The intelligence is absolutely clear Version 3.2.1 - Intelligence is never 100 percent certain Version 3.2.2 - We didn't manipulate the intelligence Version 3.3 - There was no consensus within the intelligence community Version 3.3.1 - We saw the same intelligence the last Administration did Saddam Hussein has deep ties to al Qaeda. Version 4.0 - Saddam has long-standing ties to al Qaeda Version 4.0.1 - You can't distinguish between Saddam and al Qaeda Version 4.0.2 - There is an al Qaeda terrorist network in Iraq Version 4.0.3 - Saddam has provided al Qaeda with chemical and biological weapons training. Version 4.0.4 - Saddam will give his weapons to al Qaeda Version 4.0.5 - Colin Powell: I have not seen smoking-gun, concrete evidence about the connection [between al Qaeda and Iraq] Version 4.0.6 - Vice President Cheney: I still believe there's a connection. Version 4.0.7 - CIA Director George Tenet: I told Dick not to say that. The United Nations just can't handle this. Version 5.0 - The UN had 12 years to deal with this Version 5.1 - We don't trust the UN to handle this Version 5.1.1 - We don't need the UN's help Version 5.1.2 - The UN should play a vital, but not central role Version 5.1.3 - You there, UN, tell Ayatollah Sistani that elections aren't possible Version 5.1.4 - UN, please oversee the election process Version 5.1.5 - Pretty please? We'll pay our dues The war in Iraq won't hurt our efforts in Afghanistan or the hunt for Bin Laden. Version 6.0 - Iraq won't affect our hunt for bin Laden Version 6.1 - Assets have been moved from Afghanistan to Iraq Version 6.1.1 - Assets are being returned to Afghanistan Version 6.2 - We're mounting a spring offensive against bin Laden Version 6.2.1 - We'll catch bin Laden this year Version 6.2.2 - We hope to catch bin Laden this year Version 6.3 - Even if we catch bin Laden, the threat will still exist. Mission accomplished. Version 7.0 - We won't need hundreds of thousands of troops - that's wildly off the mark Version 7.1 - Mission accomplished Version 7.1.1 - We'll stay as long as needed and not one day more Version 7.1.2 - The troops will be home in six months Version 7.1.3 - The Iraqi Army will provide security Version 7.1.4 - Where's the Iraqi Army? Version 7.1.5 - We've disbanded the Iraqi Army Version 7.1.3 - The troops will stay a year and be replaced Version 7.2 - We're training the Iraqi army - Iraqification will work Version 7.2.1 - We don't need any more American troops Version 7.2.2 - Well, maybe we do Version 7.2.3 - We're keeping 30,000 more troops on active duty than were authorized Version 7.2.4 - We don't know if this increase in troops is a spike or a plateau Version 7.2.5 - We're establishing stop loss so troops can't leave Version 7.2.6 - The Army is planning multi-year rotations The cost to the American taxpayer. Version 8.0 - Economic advisor Larry Lindsey: The war will cost $200 billion Version 8.0.1 - President Bush: You're fired! Version 8.1 - The war will pay for itself very quickly Version 8.1.1 - Iraqi oil revenue will pay for reconstruction Version 8.2 - Our allies will help us Version 8.3 - We'll pay for the war through supplementals Version 8.3.1 - Congress wouldn't let us put it in the budget Version 8.3.2 - Can we please have $87 billion? Version 8.3.3 - Well, we really can't calculate what it will cost... Version 8.3.4 - Well, maybe we can - $50 billion may be on the low side Version 8.3.5 - Ask us after November 2... Democracy comes to Iraq. Version 9.0 - We will be greeted as liberators Version 9.0.1 - We'll establish democracy in Iraq Version 9.1 We'll turn this back to the Iraqis quickly Version 9.1.1 - President Chalabi will be welcomed with open arms Version 9.1.2 - Well, not so fast - we're prohibiting political parties Version 9.2 - We have the November 15 agreement - it's unchangeable Version 9.2.1 - We will appoint a small governing council Version 9.2.2 - Well, maybe a larger one Version 9.3 - We don't favor elections Version 9.3.1 - Caucuses work in Iowa, why not Iraq? Version 9.3.2 - OK fine, we'll have elections Version 9.4 - We can't return sovereignty until there is a constitution Version 9.4.1 - Never mind, we'll turn over sovereignty first Version 9.4.2 - We need to return this to the Iraqis - How about June 30? Version 9.4.3 - We're still focused on elections - the ones on November 2 The bottom line. Version 10.0 - Trust us. We know what we're doing P.J. Crowley is senior fellow and director of national defense and homeland security and Robert O. Boorstin is senior vice president of national security at the Center for American Progress. Source: Center for American Progress http://www.americanprogress.org | |
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