Turning Away from Future Disaster

As the violence in Iraq rages, and as Sy Hersh continues to report that the Bushites are still determined to attack Iran, the Los Angeles Times reports that 21 former U.S. generals, diplomats and national security officials will issue an open letter warning against making war on Iraq, and insisting that current Middle East policy is undermining U.S. security at home.

The letter is expected to call for a complete overhaul of U.S. policy toward both Iran and Iraq. The letter maintains that the Iran situation is not a "crisis" requiring immediate military action. It will be interesting to see how this letter is viewed--whether it is seen as indicating unrest within the current military at the highest levels. Sy Hersh insists that the top officers of all the services except the Air Force are dead set against action against Iran.

It's sad but necessary that fighting for the future involves opposing immense threats to it that responsible leaders would not be planning.