tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9762062.post-39603761579625218182008-06-19T15:51:00.004-04:002008-06-19T15:59:34.695-04:00America has fought three wars in Europe in the 20th Century - World Wars I and II, and the Cold War.<br /><br />However, <a href="http://www.tnr.com/politics/story.html?id=597957fd-6bbf-4d02-b29f-3dbd35176038">this article from <span style="font-style: italic;">The New Republic</span></a> could explain the genesis of America's Fourth European War.<br /><br />Key paragraph:<br /><b style=""></b><blockquote><b style="">Is it likely that</b> <b style="">prosecutions</b> will be brought overseas? Yes. It is reasonably likely. Sands's book contains an interview with an investigating magistrate in a European nation, which he describes as a NATO nation with a solidly pro-American orientation which supported <st1:country-region st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region> engagement in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Iraq</st1:place></st1:country-region> with its own soldiers. The magistrate makes clear that he is already assembling a case, and is focused on American policymakers. I read these remarks and they seemed very familiar to me. In the past two years, I have spoken with two investigating magistrates in two different European nations, both pro-Iraq war NATO allies. Both were assembling war crimes charges against a small group of Bush administration officials. "You can rest assured that no charges will be brought before January 20, 2009," one told me. And after that? "It depends. We don't expect extradition. But if one of the targets lands on our territory or on the territory of one of our cooperating jurisdictions, then we'll be prepared to act."</blockquote>I cannot imagine the United States sitting still in such an event, even in an Obama administration. Obama would be pushed into doing something, if for no other reason than his inaction would be seen as political retribution - and of a decidedly more cowardly form than actually doing the trials himself.<br /><br />It would mean the destruction of the NATO alliance. I don't think Europe really wants to go there.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9762062-3960376157962521818?l=calledasseen.blogspot.com'/></div>Haroldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12989803825002275727noreply@blogger.com1