CIAO DATE: 9/01

From CIAO's Board: Commentary on the Terrorist Attacks against the United States

Dear friends,

I have learned a great deal from the various comments already sent in. For what it’s worth, I attach my very short and simple letter that appeared in the New York Times on Saturday.

Best to all,

Bob

New York Times, September 15, 2001, p. A22.

To the Editor:

The United States can respond vigorously to attacks against it, in full conformity with the United Nations Charter, which grants a right of self-defense. But our long-term campaign against terrorist attackers should, insofar as possible, involve the United Nations.

Military action must be in the service of political ends, building a broad coalition of support for self-defense. As in the Persian Gulf war, the United Nations can help provide broad legitimacy for effective military action in defense of freedom.

Robert O. Keohane

Durham, NC, September 14, 2001

The writer is a professor of political science and law at Duke University.

Commentary

Stephen M. Walt
Kirkpatrick Professor of International Affairs
John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University

Bruce Jentleson
Professor of Public Policy, Duke University
Director, Terry Sanford Institute of Public Policy

Response by Etel Solingen
Professor of Political Science
University of California, Irvine

Response by Stephan Haggard
Professor, Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies
University of California, San Diego