In an interview with Dr. Maike Hickson, John Sharpe, editor of IHS Press (and Saint Benedict Conference speaker), discusses his still timely 2005 two-volume series, Neo-Conned!, opposing the 2003 Iraq War. The books include contributions from Dr. Robert Hickson, Maike’s late husband.
The video is embedded below. Here is something of a synopsis of its contents:
- Background: Sharpe and Hickson, both Catholics and military veterans, collaborated on the project. At the time, Robert Hickson resigned from a teaching position due to his opposition to the war.
- Changing Perspectives: Nearly twenty years later, awareness has grown regarding the influence of neoconservatives on U.S. foreign policy, particularly in the Middle East.
- False Narratives: Sharpe highlights how misleading information about Saddam Hussein was used to justify the Iraq invasion, referencing an interview with journalist Jude Wanniski in the first volume.
- Just War Doctrine: The series explores Catholic just war principles, emphasizing that war is only justified if one has been attacked or faces an imminent threat.
- U.S. Actions: Sharpe argues that the U.S. attack on Iraq was unjust, noting the existence of an insurgency and the mistreatment of civilians, which violated the Geneva Convention.
- Neoconservative Influence: The interview discusses the roles of figures like Robert Kagan and Paul Wolfowitz in promoting Middle Eastern wars for strategic interests, particularly the interests of Israel.
- Call to Action: The article encourages readers to study the history of the Iraq War through Neo-Conned! to learn from past mistakes and strive for peace.
