If You Want Peace on Earth, Prepare for Hell

From Hawaii to Iraq, December marks a month of military history that reflects America’s enduring belief in peace through strength: the understanding that deterrence fails when strength is ignored, and that lasting peace is often secured only after decisive action.

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Pearl Harbor

Leading up to the Pearl Harbor attacks, America grew increasingly perturbed by Japan’s expansionistic approach towards China, most notably the Nanking Massacre. In response, the United States hammered Japan with sanctions and trade embargoes. Tensions between Washington and Tokyo reached an all-time high. Though concerned about the rising power of Japan, American decision-makers were confident that any Japanese attacks would take place on European colonies in the Indopacific such as the Dutch East Indies, Singapore, or Indochina. This confidence resulted in leaving the Naval facilities in Pearl Harbor relatively undefended. Nearly the entire Pacific Fleet was moored in this harbor and hundreds of airplanes were parked on adjacent airfields.

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On the morning of December 7th, Japanese planes began to drop bombs and rain bullets from the sky. An 1,800 pound bomb hit the USS Arizona, killing 1,000 men trapped inside. Torpedoes followed the bombs and bullets. The USS Arizona, USS Oklahoma, USS California, USS West Virginia, USS Utah, USS Maryland, USS Pennsylvania, USS Tennessee, and USS Nevada all faced significant damage. Japan planned to destroy the entirety of the Pacific Fleet so they could expand their influence with impunity. However, the opposite happened. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt announced that America would enter the war. Through a violent and unrelenting campaign, America’s soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines fought in the Pacific Theater from Iwo Jima to Okinawa. The result was Axis powers defeated and America rising as the beacon of the free world. Pearl Harbor remains a permanent warning: when deterrence is neglected and adversaries are underestimated, peace collapses violently. American strength did not provoke war—it ended one.

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Operation Just Cause

In 1983, former CIA asset Manuel Noriega rose to power as a military dictator in Panama. His relationship with Washington began to deteriorate after he murdered an opponent and it became public knowledge that he lined his pockets by laundering money, selling US secrets, and smuggling drugs into the United States. In 1989, Noriega declared war against the United States. On December 16th, 1989, Columbian-born Marine officer Lt. Robert Paz, who was dressed in civilian clothes, was ambushed and killed by Panamanian soldiers at a roadblock. His death was the catalyst for George HW Bush authorizing the invasion of Panama. On December 17th, 11,000 US troops were airlifted from America to Panama, increasing American presence to 24,000 in Panama. Noriega attempted to hide and two vice presidents were sworn in to head the government. The country devolved into chaos, with Panamanian soldiers and civilians looting and destroying businesses. An additional 2,000 US troops were flown in. Noriega eluded capture for four days. Operation Just Cause demonstrated that swift, overwhelming force can restore order faster than prolonged diplomacy with bad actors. Noriega’s regime collapsed not because of negotiations, but because American resolve left him nowhere to hide.

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After American soldiers blasted rock music at deafening levels outside of his hiding spot, Noriega finally surrendered. (Rumor has it that songs played include I Fought the Law by Clash, Panama by Van Halen, All I Want is You by U2, and If I Had a Rocket Launcher by Brian Cockburn). Noriega was captured, tried in Miami, then imprisoned. This lesser known military campaign holds great significance as America once again engages with a Latin American dictator responsible for trafficking drugs into America. 

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Capture and Execution of Saddam Hussein

After spending nine months on the run and in hiding, American forces captured Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. Under his 24 year reign of terror, Hussein and his Ba’athist party used military, intelligence, and secret police to commit severe human rights violations. Perhaps most infamously, he used chemical weapons against the Kurds, killing over 100,000 people. While civilians lived in poverty, he lived in luxury, owning over 20 palaces. Believing that he was in possession of weapons of mass destruction, the United States invaded Iraq with the sole purpose of removing Saddam Hussein from power. As George Bush famously told Condoleeza Rice, “fuck Saddam, we are taking him out.” 

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In March 2003, Americans invaded Iraq. On December 13th, 2003, soldiers found Hussein hiding in a six to eight foot deep hole. Previously known to be preoccupied with keeping a well groomed appearance, his hair was matted and beard unkept. A soldier at the scene described him as “a man resigned to his fate.” On December 30th, 2006, he was executed. The capture and execution of Saddam Hussein underscored a hard truth of international order: tyrants are not restrained by words alone. Peace follows when aggressors know there are consequences.

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From Pearl Harbor to Panama to Baghdad, December reminds Americans that peace is never passive. It is preserved by readiness, enforced by resolve, and defended by men and women willing to confront evil when deterrence fails. History shows that strength does not invite conflict—it prevents it. When America hesitates, adversaries advance. When America stands firm, order is restored. Peace on earth has never been free, and it has never been guaranteed. It has always been secured by those prepared to go to Hell and back to protect it.

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