The endgame in Iraq is now clear, in outline if not detail, and it appears that the heavily favored United States will be upset. Once support for a war is lost, it is gone for good; there is no example of a modern democracy having changed its mind once it turned against a war. So we ought to start coming to grips with the meaning of losing in Iraq.The only significant question still hanging is whether Iraq will turn out to have been the biggest strategic mistake in U.S. history.
Christopher J. Fettweis, assistant professor of national security affairs at the U.S. Naval War College.
“[T]here is no example of a modern democracy having changed its mind once it turned against a war.”
Yowser, Dr. Fettweis needs to get out more! In 2001, the Sri Lankan populace was squarely against the war there, leading to the 2002 Cease Fire Agreement. Today those polls are somewhat diffferent, and the war is back in session.
I can think of one other example, and I’m sure there are more. They are without doubt the exception, as it is UNLIKELY a war would fall back into favor. But a blanket statement that there is “no example” of it is just idiocy, easily disproven, and discrediting to whatever else he might say.