capacity, topography, roads, ports, waterways, weather, and the location of
civilian populations. They looked at American capabilities and the contributions
allied forces could make. Before proposing to the president the deployment of
half a million American troops to push Saddam Hussein back across the desert,
however, Powell asked his strategic questions to see what they would reveal
through the long lens of diplomacy, politics, and war. He wanted to know about
goals, resources, consequences, rationale, and risk. Having experienced
Vietnam, he asked whether the American public would stand by a war in Iraq if
it got costly and difficult.
Powell posed eight strategic questions looking at the big picture, challenging
assumptions, and defining success. Only if the answers to all were positive, he
believed, could the president confidently launch a full-scale invasion to liberate
Kuwait.
Is a vital national security interest threatened?
Is the action supported by the American people?
Do we have genuine, broad international support?
Have the risks and costs been fully and frankly analyzed?
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