Was the war in Iraq justified? As the casualties and costs mount, the debate over Iraq intensifies. Donald Rumsfeld and Patrick Leahy discuss President Bush's decision to go to war.

• Author: Rumsfeld, Donald H.
• Position: Debate

YES

Imagine a world where you lived in terror of a brutal dictator, where one complaint from a classmate or neighbor could land you in jail. Your family would have no idea where you are--or if you will ever come home. Imagine that dictator has used chemical weapons on a city near yours--killing thousands of innocent men, women and children.

For Iraqi citizens, that was the harsh reality of life under Saddam Hussein--a violent dictator who supported terrorism, used weapons of mass murder on his own people and his neighbors, and defied the demands of the United Nations that he disarm. Today, thanks to American and allied troops, his regime has been removed--and Iraqis are free.

Why did the President act to remove the brutal regime in Iraq? Because on September 11 we saw the destruction caused by a terrorist attack on our own soil--3,056 innocent people were killed. And we vowed to do whatever it takes to stop another attack before it happens.

War is always a last choice, for with war comes the cost of human life and financial sacrifice for our country. But terror must be stopped before it arrives on our shores, before terrorists acquire weapons of mass murder that would allow them to kill many more people than they did on 9/11.

We are living in a dangerous world. We can live in that world as free people. Young people in Iraq finally have what you have--the opportunity to pursue their dreams in freedom. Much work remains, but the future is bright.

Donald H. Rumsfetd Secretary of Defense

NO

Six months after President Bush declared major combat operations in Iraq over, American soldiers are being attacked daily, and millions of Iraqi civilians still lack basic services like water and electricity. We are witnessing the...