In a speech given to an audience at Berkley, Thomas Barnes stated that he would be taking the unpopular position, that of supporting President Bush’s decision to go to war. Before clarifying his position Barnes makes it clear that while he believes the war is necessary, it would not be as short as many Americans hoped (Barnes).

Barnes justified the decision to support the war based on the historical actions and inaction of Saddam Hussein. For example, he noted that twelve years of sanctions and inspections did not persuade Saddam to disarm, or to refrain from making new illegal weapons (Barnes).

Barnes also noted another diplomatic failure, that of U.N. Resoluti

Dickey, Christopher, Donatella Lorch, Debra Rosenberg, and Daniel Klaidman. “Iraq’s Most Wanted.” Newsweek 141 31 Mar. 2003: 48-53.

on 1441. Although the terminology of this Resolution made it clear in no uncertain terms that Saddam was to disarm, Barnes states that the intentions of one country in particular made the Resolution virtually ineffective. With all diplomatic efforts blocked, the U.S. had no other choice but to take a military route in order to ensure the safety of Americans and other peoples of the world (Barnes).

The war in Iraq is justified in that it is necessary for the progression of world safety and democratic ideals. World leaders who are unwilling to work within the framework established by a majority of the world’s countries threaten the safety of people everywhere. For the safety of Iraqi’s, Americans, and other people of the world, the war in Iraq is a necessary evil needed to prevent an even greater evil from continuing or spiraling further out of control.

Removing Saddam from power is essential for any hope of world peace. In the past, Saddam has proven his capability for aggression by invading neighboring Kuwait. By replacing Saddam’s regime with one founded on democratic ideals, the chance for Middle East and world peace moves much closer to becoming a reality. As noted by Weigel, “Classic ‘just war’ thinking begins with moral obligations: the obligation of rightly constituted public authorities to defend the security of those for whom they have assumed responsibility, and the obligation to defend the peace of order in world affairs” (8). In his speech, Barnes also notes that the war in Iraq must be proven as “just” in order to gain support in both national and international arenas (Barne

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