Criticisms of the Iraq war have come from all angles, but Fukuyama is the first prominent member of the New Right to join the fray. Once a proud neocon, the egghead now rejects that label, largely because he feels it has been devalued by its inescapable link with Iraq. Instead, he wants to be known as a realistic Wilsonian's a phrase that lacks a certain zing, something Fukuyama acknowledges with the plaintive plea: If anybody can think of a better label, he or she is welcome to contact me with suggestions.) Email fuku@endofhistory.org with any ideas. Fukuyama's extended essay begins with an insightful look at neoconservatism required reading for those whose knowledge of the group comes solely from Adam CurtisÕs flawed ÔThe Power of Nightmares, and for anybody on the left who still believes their core beliefs can be reconciled with those of the neocons. In short, smart chapters he then tackles the key aspects of contemporary foreign policy Ð Islamic terrorism, preventive war, democracy building and American exceptionalism. Central to Fukuyama's thinking is the inherent contradiction between neoconservatism's traditional scepticism towards social engineering and the belief that democracy could be created from the ground up in Iraq, and his criticism of his former fellow travellers for misapplying the ideologyÕs key tenets is both lucid and trenchant. Fukuyama's conclusions place him even further adrift from his erstwhile allies, as he argues in favour of less rhetoric about World War IV, less military intervention, a softer approach to democratic reform in the Middle East and more respect paid to new and tougher international institutions. Much for left and right alike to chew on.
