Eqypt's take on the Iraq War

[rosesaylavee]

http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2005/751/re4.htm (Eqypt)



"The government of Prime Minister Al-Jaafari is perceived by Iraqis as inept and corrupt, unable to find a political solution to the insurgency, unwilling to stand up to the Americans, and composed in large part by exiles. What the Iraqi people know, that apparently their "elected" officials do not, is that the most potent force reinforcing the insurgency is the simple idea that the US is in Iraq indefinitely.

What are we to make of the unprecedented burst of criticism directed at the Bush administration from within the US? The most popular critique appears to be over the "mishandling" of the war, which blames the neocons for not having a post-war occupation plan or an exit strategy. But this critique fails to understand the fundamental motivations guiding the administration's policies. There was no exit strategy because the US never planned on exiting. The establishment of permanent military bases in Iraq, at least 14 of them, and the projection of American power to fashion a political and economic order beneficial to US interests, were the primary motivations for the invasion.

The Bush administration is not "disconnected from reality", as Senator Hagel proclaimed. For them, the disastrous reality is a messy diversion, a price worth paying for the long term benefits of economic and political control of what should be one of the wealthiest countries on earth. They may tinker with troop levels and bring some home to satisfy a restless American public, but the foundation of the occupation will remain the same. To withdraw fully would not only be admitting failure, but would alter the Bush administration's long-term strategic goals. Perhaps more importantly, it would deflate the idea of American exceptionalism and virtue to Americans themselves. The false notion of the noble American, selflessly waging war to bring civilisation to unruly natives is precisely the image that must be dismantled if any substantive change in US foreign policy is to occur."

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Always interesting to see what other papers are saying about the Iraq war. For other links to news media outside the US - see http://www.charlesjaco.com/html/news_boom.html for a list of links.

[endarkenment]

1. nicely put

This sums it up pretty well. So how on earth is the american public EVER going to come to terms with what we are doing and what has been done in their name?

[IrateCitizen]

3. Easy. We're addicted to a cheap, steady supply of oil...

... and our unwillingness to give anything up that goes along with that allows us to justify it.

Of course, it also helps when we never really have to see the negative side effects of such an undertaking, too.

[endarkenment]

4. but that is not 'coming to terms with it'

that is rationalizing a state of denial. Besides two undeniable real-world events are going to provide a sharp slap in the face to all of us: the end of peak oil and global climate change. They are both clearly starting to happen and they are both going to bring the whole bullshit parade to a screeching halt.

[IrateCitizen]

5. Oh, I don't disagree with that at all...

Besides two undeniable real-world events are going to provide a sharp slap in the face to all of us: the end of peak oil and global climate change. They are both clearly starting to happen and they are both going to bring the whole bullshit parade to a screeching halt.

I'd also throw ecological catastrophe, as in the loss of clean water supplies, clean air, and arable soil into the mix.

But the fact remains that the vast majority of Americans just aren't the least bit aware of ANY of this. If you don't believe me, just try to start up a conversation about it at your next cocktail party or family dinner, and see what kind of responses you get.

As for denial, I would say that it is the most basic, reflexive method of "coming to terms" with unfortunate truths -- just denying their very existence.

[endarkenment]

6. oh we are in violent agreement

about the situation. I think my first post was unclear. What really worries me is how the befuddled are going to react as the enormous turdball of reality that their Beloved Leaders have kept from them starts seeping in through the front door. I fear the reaction is not going to be pleasant.

[RaleighNCDUer]

2. Sounds spot on to me. nt