August 5, 2004

MEMORANDUM TO: OPINION LEADERS

FROM: GARY SCHMITT

SUBJECT: Kerry's More "Sensitive" War on Terror?

Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry told an audience in Washington, D.C. today that if elected he would wage "a more sensitive war on terror." Aside from its amusing qualities, this statement adds to other evidence in Kerry's recent statements and speeches, including his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention, that Kerry will be very hesitant to use force in his "war" on terrorism. Contrary to widespread accounts of his acceptance speech as hawkish, Kerry seems to believe that the struggle against terrorism can be won chiefly by strengthened alliances and public declarations.

Above all, Kerry seems opposed to taking pre-emptive military action against terrorists or against states that support them. In his convention speech, Kerry makes one reference to the need to "get terrorists before they get us," but it comes in this sentence: "And we need to rebuild our alliances, so we can get the terrorists before they get us." Insofar as that statement has any meaning, it suggests that Kerry is counting on allied law enforcement efforts.

Elsewhere in the speech, Kerry says: "I will never hesitate to use force when it is required." But the very next sentence makes clear that he does not mean the pre-emptive use of force against terrorists. "Any attack will be met with a swift and certain response." Thus, Kerry seems to believe that the use of force is required to retaliate for a terrorist attack, not to pre-empt one.

In summing up his strategy for the war on terrorism, Kerry in his convention speech declared that "We need a strong military and we need to lead strong alliances. And then, with confidence and determination, we will be able to tell the terrorists: You will lose and we will win." We doubt that Al Qaeda will be terribly impressed by being told this. But it is of a piece with Kerry's other statements on this subject. Kerry's strategy in the war on terrorism seems built almost exclusively on the application of what Joseph Nye has famously labeled "soft power."

That is a reasonable enough position, if ultimately mistaken. But the American people deserve to hear this debate fought out more frankly. They should know, if it is true, that Kerry does not really favor pre-emptive military strikes against terrorists. This would provide a clear and useful contrast with the policies of the Bush administration.