The just war doctrine has a long established history and plays an important role in international affairs. Many if not most of mainstream religious leaders in the US, as did others like the Pope internationally, cited this doctrine in opposing the invasion of Iraq. Neither the invasion and subsequent conduct of the war nor the recently announced "surge" of military meet the criteria for a just war.
The danger today is that the Bush administration and others would like to shelve the doctrine of just war, claiming that it is dated, not suitable for the realities of the 21st century, in particular in fighting global terrorism. The same logic is used by some to justify curtailing the civil liberties of Muslims, profiling, the rendition and torture of prisoners. This attitude opens up a Pandora's box which undermines or contradicts international law. It reaffirms for critics of America that we operate with a double standard and do not walk the way we talk. On the one hand we invoke international law and treaties when convenient, and on the other we feel free to ignore or exempt ourselves when we wish. Similarly, many charge that America argues for universal human rights and international law when judging other societies, but feels free to put itself above these standards, or waive them when it proves inconvenient.