Is the War on Iraq Lawful?

[ebonlock]

As someone only vaguely versed on international law, particularly where it regards the war on Iraq, I found this article quite interesting.

Something to ponder:
In that respect, a bit of ancient history may be relevant. In Chapter Seventeen of his History of the Peloponnesian War (between Athens and Sparta in the Fifth Century B.C.), Thucydides recounted the reaction of the people of the small neutral island state of Melos to the invading Athenian navy. Before attacking Melos, the Athenians gave the Melians an opportunity to surrender. The Melians attempted to persuade the Athenians to leave them alone. According to Thucydides, the Athenians would have none of it. Questions of justice arise only among equals, the Athenians said, while the strong do what they will and the weak suffer what they must.

The Melians refused to surrender; the Athenians prevailed militarily; they killed the adult Melian males; and they sold the women and children into slavery. But ultimately with aid from Persia (modern-day Iran), Sparta defeated and conquered Athens, which never regained its glory.

Even as we hope that President Bush can bring the spirit of Athenian democracy to the cradle of civilization, we may fear that he has forged a different, and darker, connection to ancient Athens.

Comments

[centerfire.livejournal.com]

I'll begin to worry the writer's point when we see the First Marine Division killing all the Iraqi males and selling the women and children into slavery.

Instead, I see this (http://www.strategypage.com/gallery/docs2/general_mattis_letter.asp).

[mallen.livejournal.com]

Most people who seem to claim that war on Iraq violates international law are of the opinion that pretty much anything the U.S. does violates international law.

Re:

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

Most people who seem to claim that war on Iraq violates international law are of the opinion that pretty much anything the U.S. does violates international law.

Dunno', the guy seemed pretty specific here and I thought he made a pretty good case from a legal standpoint. Then again, as I say, I'm not a lawyer so most of the legalese goes over my head.