Video: Bacevich on ‘Permanent War’ in Middle East
Andrew Bacevich, Professor Emeritus at the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University, described an escape from the quagmire of Middle East violence in his recent lecture, “Is there an alternative to permanent war in the Middle East?”
The talk was delivered as the inaugural lecture of the Pardee School of Global Studies, which opened its doors this year. More than 100 faculty and students were in attendance on Nov. 4.
“For well over 30 years now, intensive and continuing U. S. military engagement in various quarters of the Islamic world has deserved to be seen as one war,” said Bacevich. “It is a war with many facets, conducted in many theaters, but nevertheless, one war.”
The lecture was followed by a conversation with Dr. Adil Najam, dean of the Pardee School for Global Studies, as well as a question and answer session with the audience.
“The premise underlying this war can be simply stated; with disarray in the Islamic world posing a growing threat to perceived vital U. S. national security interests, the adroit application of hard power will enable us to check those tendencies and thereby preserve the American way of life,” Bacevich said. “But simply stated, we have not won this war. We are not winning this war. And simply pressing on is unlikely to produce more positive results next year or the year after.”
The Inaugural Year Lecture Series at the Boston University Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies are planned around themes and issues central to the mission and focus of Boston University’s newest School. Other lectures will follow through the 2014-15 academic year.