Published: Wednesday, March 30, 2011, The Daily Targum

http://www.dailytargum.com/opinions/see-iraq-libya-variances-1.2527117

The author of the column "Separate Libya from Iraq," published in The Daily Targum on March 28, thoughtfully draws distinctions between Iraq and Libya. Yet it is surprising that his analysis of the run-up to the Iraq war is sketchy. The author claims "[former President George W.] Bush at least attempted to maintain a semblance of democracy by lubricating the months leading up to the beginning of the conflict with a public relations campaign concerning the necessity of the conflict." Unfortunately, this public-relations campaign relied on fabricated or inaccurate evidence indicating the existence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, as well as false suggestions that Iraq supported the 9/11 terrorists. Bush therefore committed our troops to war without proper justification and alienated many American allies such as France and Germany in the process.

By contrast, no dubious public-relations campaign was necessary to demonstrate the need for intervention in Libya. The revolt against Col. Muammar Gaddafi has played out in full view and clearly demonstrates the willingness of the Libyan people to overthrow their leader — another crucial distinction between Iraq and Libya. President Barack Obama's administration quickly and effectively assembled an international coalition to support the anti-Gaddafi forces with air strikes. One may legitimately question the necessity of our involvement in Libya, but the basis for our involvement is clearly based on facts on the ground — not on the type of misinformation propagated by the Bush administration.

Eddie Konczal is a Rutgers College Class of 1992 alumnus.