Even before the war in Iraq began, the word went out from the White House the word “occupation” was not to be used in connection with Iraq. Liberation, they said, is more like it. And now, with all the reports of the fall of Saddam Hussein, the question is: What will come next in Iraq?
Before the war started, the White House hinted the U.S. occupation of Japan and Germany following World War II might provide a blueprint for Iraq. Back then, the U.S. military occupation resulted in democracy and prosperity in both those countries. But it took years. In Japan, General MacArthur had the total power of a potentate. In Germany, billions of dollars poured in under the Marshall Plan.
Guests:
John Dower, Professor of Japanese History at MIT and author of “Embracing Defeat: Japan in the Wake of World War II”
Charles Maier, Professor of European History at Harvard University and Editor of “The Marshall Plan and Germany”
Pamela Hess, Pentagon correspondent, UPI