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Fred M. Donner
Professor of Near Eastern History
Chairman of Department

TOP TEN REASONS TO OPPOSE WAR AGAINST IRAQ

1. It is unnecessary. Let inspections work!

2. It sets a dangerous precedent and weakens international law. If we open the Pandora's Box of Pre-Emptive military attacks we can expect other countries to follow our example.

3. It will undermine the fight against terrorism. We will antagonize many governments and people whose cooperation we will need to identify and apprehend terrorists.

4. It will increase terrorism against the U.S. and Americans. An American attack on Iraq will be Usama Bin Laden's best recruiting tool. Why give it to him? Why put ourselves in the role of the tyrant?

5. It will kill hundreds of thousands of innocent people. Half of all Iraqis today are children under 15. Iraqis have already suffered grievously from Saddam Hussein's atrocities; we should not inflict further suffering on them.

6. It will weaken our country financially for decades to come. The $100-$200 BILLION will cause deficits to balloon and result in higher taxes, drastic cuts in domestic programs, and reductions in constructive foreign aid. It will increase oil prices and may bring on a world-wide recession.

7. It will not bring democracy to Iraq. There is no unified Iraqi opposition that can quickly form a democratic successor government. Any regime we impose will be unpopular and, because imposed, not democratic.

8. It will endanger historic alliances on which America's position in the world, and much of the international order, depend. Including America's ties with France, Germany, other NATO allies, and many other countries.

9. It will destabilize friendly governments in the Middle East. The governments of Jordan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt will face significant unrest because of their perceived closeness to Washington, and some could fall.

10. It will not be a "quick and easy" operation. Iraqis are patriotic; they may be glad to see Saddam go, but they will not welcome us as imperial occupiers. We will be bogged down in Iraq for years, and thousands of American soldiers may die.

Fred M. Donner - February 14, 2003