In The Absence Of Moral Legitimacy

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

Among the issues that will be urgently raised in the New Year are those related to achieving harmony between American military superiority and moral legitimacy - on the background of an international agreement after the chaos that spread in the world since 9/11. Perhaps, the American administration would discover in Iraq, if it did not yet, that military superiority, alone, is not a solution. And perhaps, President Bush having to secretly sneak into Baghdad, cloaked in secrecy, with unprecedented security measures, which included not informing his parents, as well as measures during his London visit, are a clear indication of the paradox of the power that cannot guarantee, alone, security; unless it comes in a political-moral context that enjoys widest support.

Washington does not seem ready yet to cross half the distance that separates it from the European position, which in turn does not seem capable of containing the chaos caused by the Americans during the last two years, or providing a convincing alternative to the American approach. However, the pragmatism that countries like Libya and Iran lately showed in dealing with the issue of weapons of mass destruction, in coordination with Britain and other European countries, may have been a helpful factor in convincing the White House of the importance of modifying the ideology of using force, or threatening to, as the only solution in facing possible threats. Should the quiet diplomacy succeed in completely resolving the dispute with Libya and Iran, Europe would prove to America that complex international issues can be dealt with non-militarily - without eliminating the use of force as a last option should all other means fail. The Euro-American disagreement is not over the principle, but over the American methods, which do not keep a margin that allows success of diplomatic solutions.

There is no doubt that the removal of a bloody dictatorial regime serves moral and strategic goals. This could provide the opportunity in the Middle East to reorganize the regional situation through integration between the military and moral legitimacies, the latter being lackluster in American policy in the region today.

The American-European partnership, should it be reactivated on the basis that requires each party to meet the other half-way, which is what British Prime Minister Tony Blair is trying his best to achieve, it could open the door for a more just settlement for the Arab-Israeli conflict, starting with a solution for the Palestinian cause, on foundations approved by the majority of the peoples in the region. The ambitious American plan in the Middle East, starting with reconstructing Iraq, passing through spreading democracy in the region, cannot succeed without harmonization of power with the lawful and moral legitimacy. Even the "war on terror" cannot realize its goals so long as Washington persists with policies that do not convince the supposed allies of America in the world, before convincing its enemies, while these policies contribute in increasing hatred, which breeds more extremism.

More: http://english.daralhayat.com/OPED/01-2004/Article-20040102-d77422c2-c0a8-01ed-0076-de14a198b9ac/story.html

Just wanted to share this. Food for thought.

[wtmusic]

1. Don't think so

However, the pragmatism that countries like Libya and Iran lately showed in dealing with the issue of weapons of mass destruction, in coordination with Britain and other European countries, may have been a helpful factor in convincing the White House of the importance of modifying the ideology of using force, or threatening to, as the only solution in facing possible threats.

The administration will trumpet the value of using force in Iraq to force Libya (and now North Korea) to the bargaining table.

[cosmicdot]

2. and, those who will blog/post the informed historical chronology

will be demonized as being anti-American ...

the forces of good are going to be facing some fierce winds this year ... it's going to take a group effort to turn this tide ...

build bridges, not walls

Rove and whatever operation and operatives he has going on
wants us to build walls, and is likely using stealth tactics to help confuse us and misdirect us ...