Alexa McDonough

In the following viewpoint Alexa McDonough, former leader of Canada’s New Democratic Party, asserts that efforts to end terrorism must be led by the United Nations. She contends that the UN is best suited to respond to terror because it can establish an international tribunal that would indict and convict the people behind the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. According to McDonough international justice must be chosen over military retaliation because no country, or coalition of countries, should be permitted to take the law into its own hands when fighting terrorism.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. According to the author, what previous crises prompted the UN to establish international courts?
2. In McDonough’s view, why should no coalition or country be permitted to “take the law...