Sitting in the Dock of the Day: Applying Lessons Learned from the Prosecution of War Criminals and Other Bad Actors in Post-Conflict Iraq and Beyond

摘要

The history of Europe is a history of war. Mongols , Huns Moors , Turks , Romans and modem Europeans have fought and died throughout Europe for control of the continent. Japan knew a similar culture in which war and its practitioners held a venerated position in a society antithetical to democratic principles and the rule of law. These societies gave birth to two of the most efficient war machines of history: Adolf Hitler's Germany and Emperor Hirohito's Imperial Japan. United, Germany and Japan along with their lesser Axis Allies waged a war of conquest that spread to all of the populated continents. The United States and her Allies found themselves in a struggle for national survival in the face of a powerful coalition bent on world conquest. Though all wars expose its participants to unique horrors, World War II brought the world atrocities of historic proportions. Jews were murdered by the millions throughout Europe in furtherance of Hitler's master plan of a Europe purged of what he deemed, for example, to be racially inferior stock. In addition, Japanese soldiers visited horrors upon captured soldiers that often included execution, decapitation of the dead and cannibalism. The Japanese Government created corps of foreign sexual slaves for the wanton use of their armed forces. Yet, today it is difficult to imagine a modern war between the United States, Germany and Japan. Western Europe has known its longest period of peace in its long and bloody history. Japan, has transitioned to democracy, shed its militant culture, and notwithstanding its recent economic setbacks, remains one of the most efficient and robust economies on earth. On the strategic front, Germany sits with the United States as an equal voting member at NATO, and serves with American troops in combat operations abroad. Japan is a key American ally in the Pacific.