Opposition to the Iraq War: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

Line 53:

Several prominent members of the military and national security communities, particularly those who favor a more realist approach to international relations, have been critical of both the decision to invade Iraq and the prosecution of the War.

On July 28, 2002, eight months before the invasion of Iraq, the [[Washington Post]] reported that “many senior U.S. military officers” including members of the [[Joint Chiefs of Staff]] opposed an invasion on the grounds that the policy of containment was working.<ref>Ricks, Thomas [http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A10749-2002Jul27 Some Top Military Brass Favor Status Quo in Iraq] The Washington Post, July 28, 2002 p A01.</ref>

One of the earliest such critics was [[Brent Scowcroft]], who served as National Security Adviser to President [[George H.W. Bush]]. Scowcroft wrote an editorial in [[The Wall Street Journal]] entitled "Don't attack Saddam," arguing that the war would distract from the broader fight against terrorism and the [[Israeli-Palestinian conflict]], which should be the U.S.'s highest priority in the [[Middle East]].<ref>Scowcroft, Brent. [http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110002133 "Don't attack Saddam"]. ''The Wall Street Journal,'' August 15, 2002. Retrieved April 17, 2007.</ref>