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Should the United States Attack Iraq?

Should the United States
Attack Iraq?

The forum was recorded for playback via the Real Audio player and is now available online.

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Dan Sears ’74

As Congress debates President Bush’s request for a resolution to give him broad authority to wage war against Iraq, with or without international support, North Carolina residents had an opportunity to examine their own questions and issues in a public forum on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2002 in Chapel Hill.

“Should the United States Attack Iraq?” brought together prominent experts in American foreign policy, political science, law, religious studies, history, American public opinion and Middle East studies to discuss their views and those of the audience on the implications of an American attack on Iraq. Richard H. Kohn, professor of history and chair of the Curriculum in Peace, War and Defense, will served as moderator. The forum was sponsored by Curriculum in Peace, War and Defense and The University of North Carolina General Alumni Association.

Panelists
  • Richard H. Kohn (Moderator), professor of history and chair of the Curriculum in Peace, War and Defense
  • Mark J.C. Crescenzi, assistant professor of political science, who teaches courses in international relations, including international conflict and national security
  • Carl Ernst, professor of religious studies, who addressed implications for the Muslim world
  • Michael Hunt, Everett H. Emerson Professor of History, who writes and teaches in the general field of international history and addressed implications for American foreign relations
  • Douglas MacLean, professor of philosophy, who addressed an attack from a moral and ethical perspective
  • Sarah Shields, associate professor of history, whose teaching specialties include Islamic civilization, modern Middle East and Palestine
  • James A. Stimson, Raymond Dawson Professor of Political Science, who provided an assessment from the perspective of American public opinion
  • A. Mark Weisburd, professor of law, who assessed the legal perspective if a pre-emptive attack would be legal under international law.

“This is a historic juncture,” said Kohn. “In anticipation of an attack involving weapons of mass destruction, the U.S. is contemplating an attack. This is a subject that clearly captures the imagination and concerns of the American public.

“We will assemble faculty experts of different perspectives and disciplines to try to broaden our understanding of what is and what might happen,” he said.