And as soon as Iraqi forces were out of Kuwait, Powell called for ending the war at once. This reluctance to act in the face of Saddam's aggression was not an uncharacteristic lapse. Powell has repeatedly counseled passivity and nonintervention. In 1989, he opposed the use of US troops to help Panamanian rebels depose strongman Manuel Noriega. The result was that the coup failed, resulting in a massive and costly invasion 10 weeks later.
Nobody really thinks it has a vital interest.
A U.S. general who cannot discern a vital Western interest in stopping genocide in the heart of Europe is not the man to run the State Department. Once the crucial decision to act has been made and a leader is needed to carry it out, Powell is superb. Powell's gifts are many, but those are not among them. The Center's publications are intended to invigorate and enrich the debate on foreign policy and defense issues. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of all members of the Center's Board of Advisors.