Abstract

Johnstone's critique of American policy leading to the Second Iraq War is built on two key premises: first, that the sole bona fide rationale for the war was the overthrow of Saddam Hussein, i.e., regime change, and second, that the goal of regime change does not in principle morally warrant the use of military power. On both points, however, Johnstone's claims turn out to be untenable. This is evident in terms of his reconstruction of the history leading up to the war as well as with regard to the character of the political categories he brings to bear on the…