This article discusses the discourses of French intellectuals in the context of the Iraq War of 2003. Drawing on the notion of the intellectual as a critical guardian of humane and universal values, my analysis examines the ways in which French intellectuals applied universal ideals to the Iraq War, and the manner in which the arguments which emerged intersected with traditional notions of 'anti-Americanism' (most notably through the concept of 'empire'). The key point highlighted throughout the article is that while most French intellectuals opposed the Iraq invasion, a notable, vocal, and often overlooked core of them voiced strong support. Often, intellectuals in both camps would paradoxically appeal to the same universal principles in defense of their respective positions, highlighting the contested nature of universalism itself in recent political debates among French intellectuals.