Biden-Hagel: 2002 Op-Ed on Iraq

The Futurist,

Here is an Op-Ed piece written by Senators Joe Biden and Chuck Hagel in December 2002, before the US invasion of Iraq. Sen. Biden is a Democrat, and Sen. Hagel is a Republican. [Both senators have turned against the war though this document makes it clear that they did not expect a quick victory and acknowledge a long commitment before the Iraq war began.]

It is a well-written piece with impressive foresight and details into how it would take a decade to turn Iraq into a stable democracy, after the fall of Saddam Hussein. I agree with every single thing stated in the article, including :

"Americans are largely unprepared for such an undertaking. President Bush must make clear to the American people the scale of the commitment. " Continued...