Indeed. We learned about appeasement in 1940, but if we had rallied to stop Hitler in the Sudetenland, or if the world had stopped Japan's march into China, there would be a Max Hastings to question our illegitimate use of force. I'm sure he would have praised Neville Chamberlain and the Munich agreement!
For men like Hastings, our will to be strong as the best defense of freedom is the beginning of our downfall. How can he afford this luxury in the wake of the Cold War, and given the utter destruction of Europe during WWII? Why should the Anglosphere apologize for being an ultra superpower when it made choice after choice that led it to this destiny, each one predicated on the idea of the sacredness of individual freedom?
Hastings may have lost his nerve, but the rest of us are free, defiant, and appreciative of our leaders Blair and Bush, whose roles in defending western civilization are historic and temporary, whose tenure in office will come to an orderly end someday through free elections, and whose duty was committed in the name of their offices rather than for personal accomplishment. The next elected leaders will carry on their tasks because they will understand immediately why the mantle of responsibility rested so heavily on these shoulders.
We will elect leaders who will fight for our freedom and our prosperity because we ourselves are free. Hastings can come along for the ride, like so many before him.