The war we will inevitably face in sooner or later against the regime of Saddam Hussein is one of hidden dangers that go much further than the security risks posed by Iraq. The war we are squaring up to fight, and inevitably win, is one of the scariest situations we have faced since the Cuban Missile Crisis. Then it was fairly straight forward; two nuclear superpowers playing lethal game of chess. Today, since the end of the Cold War, we face a war not between two super powers but between the only superpower and a rouge state. The fact that given the overwhelming power of the United States, we are likely to win, does not make the situation any less desperate, and the stakes no less high. For the first time since the 1960’s our leaders have openly talked about the possibility of using nuclear weapons in a pre-emptive strike. Nor has a war seemed so much closer to home, it effects all of us. But even the threat of a mad dictator who supports terrorism and possesses ‘unconventional’ weapons is not as scary as the thought of a super state that acts unilaterally, without restraint, and with the willingness to use the most destructive weapon known to man.

We need to sit down and remember why we are fighting this war against terrorism. Is it so that we who perceive ourselves to be ‘right’ can act as we see fit against any regime that dare threaten or oppose us? Or is it because we believe in the principles of tolerance, freedom, democracy, and the rule of law? Will the new post-9/11- world-order we are fighting for stand for these values? If so, then why are dozens of prisoners being held without charge and trial in Cuba? Our civil liberties are being eroded away, as the rule of law is compromised in the name of freedom and democracy. ‘Saddam Hussein would not give us the same treatment’, I hear the hawkish right shout- yes, that is true, but should we ourselves descend into terror in the process of fighting it? Our values and beliefs for which we are fighting must not be destroyed in the process of defending liberty or we have already lost.

The UN should, and for the sake of a stable future, must have the authority, impartiality, and power to form, and implement rule of law over nations, lest we return to the darkest hours of the 20th century with all the bloodshed associated with it. The turning point in our search for democracy was when we realized that no person should be above the law. The same should apply to nations; to act unilaterally is to turn your back on democracy and the rule of law among nations. George W. Bush in September gave the United Nations a choice; support the United States and do as America believes is right, or become insignificant. How can it expect Iraq and other ‘rouge states’ to comply with the decisions made by the UN when it itself threatens to flout international opinion, and is withholding millions of dollars in dues?

As the worlds only Superpower, with unparalleled economic might and military muscle, the United States should heed the advice of its’ friends and allies, and learn the lessons of the mistakes made in the past. The nations of Europe and Asia, have all paid the price of mistakes made in the name of empire, each sure of their moral righteousness, and with the power to implement such a world view. They each in turn betrayed the beliefs on which they were based, resulting in the horrors of Colonialism and Empire.

The United States is in a very different position today, there is much more at stake, and the fight much less clear, against an enemy who can take any shape or form. Yet there are still comparisons to be made, and history to be heeded. The message is clear: In fighting for your values, do not destroy them