Senior embassy officer based in Athens, John Brady Kiesling resigned on February 27 when it was clear that the US will pursue war with Iraq. He is now doing the lecture circuit, criticising Bush's foreign policy. He said:

"Sept. 11 created an imperative for the U.S. government to do something which was overwhelming"

September 11 brought war to the doorsteps of every American. No longer is war something that is beyond contemplation. To the US, war has already been declared on them by the terrorists. America has accepted war as a fact of life. It also demands the rest of the world community see it that way too.