When It Comes to Disarming Hussein, Even the Hawks Are Split

The "neo-cons" want to demonstrate America's willingness to act decisively against potential dangers, with allies if possible, but alone if necessary. In Iraq, they believe, the United States can stamp the template for an international order built on the unapologetic assertion of American power. "The maintenance of a decent and hospitable international order requires continued American leadership in resisting, and where possible undermining, aggressive dictators and hostile ideologies," write Kristol and Lawrence F. Kaplan in their new book, "The War Over Iraq."

While the neo-cons wouldn't mind U.N. support for action against Iraq, they aren't willing to sacrifice much American freedom of action to obtain it. In the neo-con view, those in the United States and Europe demanding U.N. approval of an invasion are motivated primarily by a desire to restrain America "and the lingering suspicion that American self-interest and the interests of humanity are inherently incompatible," as Kristol and Kaplan write.

Rather than waiting for an illusory international consensus to materialize, the neo-cons argue, the United States should send in the tanks; however reluctantly, others then will eventually sign on. That appears close to Bush's thinking too. For months he's made clear that he will engage the United Nations only so long as it supports the military action he appears to consider unavoidable.

In stark contrast, the tough doves see international consensus, and the strengthening of international institutions, as sources of American power. While they don't rule out unilateral U.S. action in Iraq or elsewhere, they argue that the administration should make every effort to obtain U.N. support, to temper hostility toward American power and to foster the cooperation we'll need to confront other dangers, from terrorism to nuclear proliferation.

"We are far more likely to gain the support we need by working through international institutions than outside of them," wrote Clark, who's considering a bid for the Democratic presidential nomination, in Washington Monthly last fall.

Kerry, a leading contender for the Democratic nomination, made similar arguments in a major foreign policy address in January; likewise Hagel warned in a speech last week that invading Iraq in a way that divides the United States from its allies and undermines the U.N. could hurt America's security more than it helps.