A Long Short War

A Long Short War is a collection of twenty-two articles written by Christopher Hitchens during the lead-up to the 2003 Iraq War. Published in chronological order, these pieces originally appeared in Slate magazine between November 2002 and April 2003. The book presents Hitchens' arguments in favor of military intervention in Iraq, marking his decisive split from the anti-war left. His essays address key political debates of the time, examining the roles of international allies, challenging opposing viewpoints, and analyzing the Bush administration's position. Each article stands as an independent piece while contributing to a broader narrative about the political and moral arguments for regime change in Iraq. The format captures the rapidly evolving political landscape of early 2003, preserving the immediacy of Hitchens' real-time observations and responses. The work represents a significant document of political transformation, examining complex questions about military intervention, international relations, and the intersection of liberal values with foreign policy.

Readers view this collection of Hitchens' pro-Iraq War columns as either a principled defense of intervention or an example of misguided hawkishness. The book has a 3.7/5 rating on Goodreads across 250+ ratings. What readers liked: - Clear articulation of the moral case for removing Saddam Hussein - First-hand reporting from Kurdistan - Writing quality and rhetorical skill What readers disliked: - Arguments seen as oversimplified or selective - Repetitive content across essays - Too short with limited scope "His conviction comes through on every page," notes one Amazon reviewer, while another calls it "rushed and incomplete." Multiple Goodreads reviewers mention the book feels dated and would benefit from Hitchens' later reflections on how the war played out. Ratings: Amazon: 4.1/5 (50+ reviews) Goodreads: 3.7/5 (250+ reviews) LibraryThing: 3.5/5 (15+ reviews)

War in a Time of Peace by David Halberstam Chronicles American foreign policy decisions during the Clinton era, providing context for the post-9/11 military interventions.

From Beirut to Jerusalem by Thomas Friedman Examines Middle Eastern politics and conflicts through first-hand reporting that illuminates the regional complexities preceding the Iraq War.

Republic of Fear by Kanan Makiya Documents the inner workings of Saddam Hussein's regime through detailed analysis of its power structures and mechanisms of control.

Terror and Liberalism by Paul Berman Traces the intellectual roots of Islamic militancy and western responses, exploring the philosophical arguments for liberal intervention.

The Threatening Storm by Kenneth Pollack Presents a comprehensive analysis of Iraq policy options leading up to 2003, detailing the arguments for military action against Saddam Hussein.

🔹 Hitchens, once aligned with the political left, broke ranks with many fellow progressives over Iraq, earning him both praise and criticism for his stance on intervention. 🔹 The essays were all published in Slate within a roughly 6-month window, providing an almost week-by-week account of the buildup to the March 2003 invasion. 🔹 The book's title "A Long Short War" proved ironically prescient, as the Iraq conflict would continue for over 8 years, officially ending in December 2011. 🔹 Before supporting the Iraq War, Hitchens had established himself as a vocal critic of Saddam Hussein's regime since the 1970s, notably documenting the persecution of Kurdish people. 🔹 The collection represents a significant shift in post-9/11 political discourse, as several prominent intellectuals traditionally associated with the left began supporting military interventionism.