such an action would be defensive the intent is found to be just and noble. The United States does not intend to 'destroy, conquer, or exploit Iraq' it is a last resort because Saddam Hussein had a record of attacking his neighbors, of the 'headlong pursuit and development of biochemical and nuclear weapons of mass destruction' and their use against his own people, and harboring al-Qaeda terrorists it is authorized by a legitimate authority, namely the United States it has limited goals it has reasonable expectation of success non-combatant immunity would be observed it meets the criteria of proportionality—the human cost on both sides would be justified by the intended outcome