Genocide continues. Regrettably, the massive rally in Washington last Sunday did not stop the slaughter of Darfuris, though it did highlight what has come to be the (toothless) consensus opinion in this country: Something must be done. I believe military intervention is now the only option, but pacifist progressives (and isolationists and realists) say they have reservations about it. Herein, I shall dispatch them.

First, very quickly, here’s why — if you believe the genocide must be stopped immediately — no other options are left. (a) The African Union will do nothing because its force is slim and its mandate is limiting, and African nations show no intention of expanding it. (b) The United Nations will do nothing because oil-hungry China and Russia, both of which wield veto power and do not wish to offend Sudan, and because the body consists of sovereign nations that view sovereignty as inviolable. (c) NATO will do nothing because its European members, despite incontrovertible evidence, do not believe genocide is happening in Darfur.