Justice for Iraq?

            September 11, 2001 changed the United States. Not only did it change individuals" personal lives, but also the perspectives of every citizen. This event proved the U.S. was and still is vulnerable, an idea many people would've doubted until that point. The U.S. was put in a defensive position and declared a "war on terrorism." Weapons of mass destruction were found in Iraq and the U.S. President was quick to invade and attack because of previous events. There are a myriad of opinions about this move. Some think it best to simply turn the other cheek, while others believe killing a few key leaders (i.e. Bin Laden, Hussein) is fair, and still others are intent on turning the entire Middle Eastern world into a parking lot. These opinions raise a question: Is it "just" for the U.S. to strike back against Iraq and the states that support them? To obtain an answer to this question, it is possible to look back at history and literature written by "the greats" such as Plato(the thoughts of Socrates), Homer, and Virgil.
             In Homer's the Iliad, Achilles struck back against Hector because Hector killed his friend, Patroclus. Achilles could be described as irrational after Patroclus was killed. While he waited for the gods to stop protecting Hector, Achilles savagely killed many other Trojans and eventually killed Hector purely out of vengeance. Achilles did not want his body to go back to the Trojans or his family, but Achilles ended up taking pity on Hector's father and gives the body back. This situation can be seen as a simile to the situation between the U.S. and Iraq. Achilles represents the U.S., Patroclus symbolizes the attack on America, and Hector is Iraq. Achilles does achieve vengeance, but ultimately goes back on his word to never let Hector's family have his body. This suggests that Achilles lost his reasoning in the moment and was too rash in his decision-making.
             In the play, Antigone, Creon strikes back against Antigone after she breaks a law.