Jus in Politico

According to Ron Claiborne, “GOP presidential hopeful John McCain on Wednesday cast America's commitment to Iraq as a "moral responsibility" to avert a genocidal civil war that could ensue if U.S. troops are withdrawn too soon” (McCain Asserts Iraq Withdrawal Could Mean Civil War).

Senator McCain has asserted that a continued US presence, in the very long term, is necessary in Iraq. McCain has cited the lack of infrastructure and the inability for self-governance has primary reasons for the US to remain in Iraq for the foreseeable future. McCain believes US occupation may be necessary for many decades, despite massive and increasing costs in both blood and treasure. Without such a continued presence, McCain claims the country will fall into uncontrollable and disastrous civil war, between the two opposing factions of Muslims who inhabit the country and the various ethnic groups. Because those who follow Shia Islam are a small minority in Iraq, McCain asserts that this will lead to a genocidal reign on the part of Sunni Muslims leading to many deaths and the possible extermination of the Shia Muslims.

Regardless of the accuracy of these beliefs, or the justness of any of the political claims behind them, Senator McCain has raised an issue of jus in bello and jus post bellum. McCain claims that since the US is already engaged in conflict in the Middle East, it is our duty as just practitioners of war (disregard the oxymoron) to continue our operations in Iraq to the point that without a US presence, the people of Iraq could once again rebuild and lead a normal existence free of US law and order. It is interesting to note such a high profile policy-maker citing the justness of war. One must wonder if this offers merit to the theory, or simply highlights the injustice of war; if McCain is using this as a simple political ploy to make concessions for failed Bush policy, then he has truly shown the hypocrisy of just war theory. If not, then he will certainly bring into the American dialogue and potent and polemic sense of justice when approaching war, especially this one.