We lost the fight to prevent Congress from authorizing whatever military action the Bush-Cheney junta wishes to take against Iraq. I have no doubt that the UN Security Council will enact a resolution that will, sooner or later, authorize a US-led invasion of Iraq. And when that day comes, the US will, eventually, at some cost, defeat and occupy Iraq. I believe that these events are inevitable.

Therefore, I suggest that we concentrate on deciding on and arguing for ideas and principles regarding the occupation of Iraq. Anyone who has done any reading on the occupation of Japan and Germany after WWII knows that our military governments were not as benevolent, even-handed and virtuous as many would have us believe. Of course, there was an explosion of prostitution, black-markets and other unfortunate aspects of economic and political upheaval. The truly horrifying sex slavery going on in the Balkans is the kind of exploitation of the victims of war and misery that we should avoid. What will happen in Iraq when thousands of foreigners – not just soldiers but all of the support services the occupation will need, oil company workers, business people and others – are let loose in a war-torn and economically-depressed Iraq?

Moreover, I fear that the commitment to democracy is just a façade. Do you think that a military government will allow left-wingers and Islamists to participate in the new government? Will labor unions be allowed to organize and strike? How long will anti-US papers and radio stations be allowed to operate? How many anti-occupation demonstrations will Tommy Franks allow in Baghdad? And when we need a stable Iraq to aid us in our next invasion – Iran, Pakistan, who knows? – do you think they’ll hesitate to allow Saddam’s cronies to re-assert control, as long as they are on our side?

Oh, by the way, are there any example of Western occupation of Arab lands that we can follow? Oh yes, the Israelis haven’t had any problems. Maybe we can learn from Sharon.