Front PageWill America Withdraw Into a Cocoon?
Submitted by K Prabhakar Rao on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 07:18. afghanistan al qaeda Fanaticism & Terrorism global politics iran iraq taliban terrorism usa
Prof Dr Colonel (Retired) K Prabhakar Rao
USA today is going through a difficult and complex phase of involvement in conflicts in the world against determined terrorist onslaught who declared war against it. USA has always been the leader and beacon of light for liberty and freedom in the world. Hordes of freedom fighters who were persecuted in their native countries found asylum in America. Some of these organizations at a later date took advantage and plotted against the country. The present conflict with AlQaeda of Bin Laden Group is an example. The nation has evolved out of bitter struggle for liberty from the clutches of England after a war with the Englishmen. Since then, it has maintained a high profile and a special position in the world where every one looked at it with reverence, for inspiration and guidance. After Industrial revolution, America progressed rapidly on technological and industrial front and grew into a major world power in all aspects. It played key and decisive roles in the World War I and World War II. With acquisition of Nuclear weapon it attained the position of super power. It stood for liberty and democracy and automatically it got involved in cold war with the communist block after the Korean War. It has shown great restraint during Korean War and did not attack mainland of China inspite of great provocation (1). The war was limited to use of conventional weapons.
Its involvement in Vietnam was long drawn and it withdrew from Vietnam it bowing to domestic pressure. Although USA had nuclear capacity it did not use nuclear war heads to seek a solution in Vietnam although it could. China with similar capacity probably was a deterrent. Americans went into their shell after withdrawal till Ronald Reagan was elected (2). After many decades, USA is again in similar situation. This time, USA is involved in a serious war against terrorism world wide after 9/11, 2001 attack on WTC. The situation in Iraq is being linked to Vietnam although both are totally different. Americans withdrew from Vietnam under intense public opinion against mounting casualties of their troops. The US casualties in Iraq war are about 3000, plus. Some of the experts are of the opinion that America would withdraw into the shell after withdrawal from Iraq as it did after Vietnam.
US involvement in Middle East became inevitable after World War II with the formation of Jewish State Israel. The small country was soon invaded by the Arab States and brave Israel fought the first Palestine war of 1948 (Usually called) and decisively defeated the Arabs. From then, Israel exists amidst blood thirsty Arab States with drawn swords craving for Jewish blood. The greatest support the Jewish State enjoyed was from America during all these years. It received moral and materialistic support from USA all these years. In turn, America has drawn the wrath of the Arabs and Muslim world as the abettor of Zionist cause in Middle East. Muslim world thus has axe to grind against America. American support to Shah Pehalwi I of Iran and subsequent Iranian Revolution led by Ayatollah Khomeini in 1979 has severely strained relations between USA and Iran led by Mullahs. Iran has emerged in the world as the greatest hater of Americans. In Iraq during formative years although Saddam Hussein was propped up by America to counter General Abdel Karim Kasim who was pro- USSR, in subsequent years, he became a greater threat to US interests. The ten year war (1979-89) between Iraq and Iran weakened both the States and Saddam Hussein enjoyed the support of US during the war. Soon in 1991, USA evicted Saddam from Kuwait in a war when the country was occupied by him (3).
On the other front in Afghanistan, USSR withdrew after occupation for many years. USA played a great role in the eviction of Russians from the country through Taliban who were created by Pakistan. Soon USSR broke up due to the great dismay of the world and America emerged as the only super power in the world. The extremist groups who fought in Afghanistan against Russians enjoyed US favor and were sheltered on US soil. Soon the ghost turned against the master. AlQaeda that emerged on the scene became the spokesman for the Muslim world and declared Jihad against American hegemony. Stray attacks on US establishments soon resulted in WTC 9/11, 2001 that became the Pearl Harbor of the twenty first century for the Americans. Subsequently, Taliban were attacked and driven out from Pakistan along with AlQaeda and NATO forces are still battling along with Afghan troops in Afghanistan for mopping up the militants (4). US is also involved in arresting influence of AlQaeda in African nations such as Kenya, Sudan , Somalia, Algeria, Yemen in Arabian Peninsula and Philippines in Pacific (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10).
Then came Iraq war to crush the axis of evil in the words of the President (Iran is still remaining) where the American troops got entangled in sectarian conflicts abetted by Iran and AlQaeda after dethroning Saddam Hussein in a quick campaign. Rather it was a walk over. Iraq war got prolonged for a period that was more than expected and with mounting casualties opinions at home changed and it made mark on the elections. Support for the president seriously dwindled in both houses. There is a great pressure for troop withdrawal and even Republican senators are joining the opposite ranks in voicing opposition against continued Iraq involvement. Many are of the opinion that America got stuck in a quagmire in Iraq and soon it has to extricate itself and bring back the troops (11). There is a growing opinion that it is time USA withdraws from futile involvements around globe on various issues and concentrates more in its own matters. Generally it is opined that the best way to defeat USA in any war is to turn public opinion at home against the war. This happened in Vietnam war and is also happening during the war on Iraq. During Vietnam War due to public opinion, it lost will to fight and withdrew while North Vietnam swallowed South Vietnam.
On the Iranian front, USA has been pressurizing Iran to give up its nuclear programme which is seen as an effort to build bomb. The Iran nuclear programme is seen dangerous in view of the statements of Iranian President that it would wipe off Israel from the world map by dropping the bomb on it. Although there is a great apprehension that US would bomb Iran to destroy its nuclear facilities, no such things have happened. There is also a talk of Israel bombing Iran’s nuclear facilities with blessings of America (12) (13) (14). It has to see light of the day, yet. Thus we see that USA is fully entangled in the world affairs and military conflicts.
The Terrorist groups consider America as the leader of all Kafirs and as crusaders. In a recent released message Al Jawahari, no 2 in AlQaeda called for more Terrorist attacks on crusaders and Americans and their establishments. Thus hatred towards America and west is well entrenched in terrorist circles. In this scenario, does America prefer withdrawing from the world affairs into a cocoon and be happy? Will it give the required safety from the terrorists? Will terrorists be happy and leave America to live on its own? How Democrats are going to face terrorists once George Bush leaves White House who are waiting to reach American shores to launch physical attacks? These are some of the important questions in view of strong public opinion in America against Iraq war and involvement of USA in various world affairs.
Although America was in a state of introspection after withdrawal from Vietnam till Ronald Reagan was elected, it was soon on its toes. Although there is some present talk of USA going back into the shell under permanent decline, disillusioned with Iraq war, the chance of withdrawal from power politics in the world by USA is remote. In the words of Dean Acheson, America is the locomotive of the world and it remains. It is reported that democrats campaigned in 2006 for congress by promising increase in the size of military. The front line Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton recently called for substantial increase in the troop strength in Afghanistan for battling Taliban and AlQaeda. John Edwards, left ward Presidential candidate criticized President Bush for not being tough with Iran (15). Democrats say they are not much concerned about sending additional 20,000 troops to Iraq. Their contention is that a firm policy to stabilize the region is more important. They ask for aggressive diplomatic efforts along with the military role.
Nancy Pelosi’s agenda and the Democrats’ solution for the Iraq War looks like the same wine in a new bottle. She writes: "We propose transitioning the U.S. mission in Iraq to counter-terrorism, training, logistics and force protection; working with Iraqi leaders to disarm the militias and to develop a sustainable political settlement by amending their Constitution; convening an international conference to support a diplomatic and political settlement in Iraq to revitalize the stalled economic reconstruction and rebuilding effort; and beginning the phased redeployment of U.S. forces from Iraq no latter than December 2006." This is far from a clear commitment to the American people to end American involvement quickly (16). Moreover, she promises "a full commitment to fighting terrorists in Afghanistan." Combine this with the 9/11 Public Discourse recommendations concerning greater funds for Pakistan to end terrorist training camps, and we then see the outlines of Democrat thinking on how to combat terrorism. It’s basically to sustain the war in Iraq while attempting to disengage while expanding the war in Afghanistan with the help of Pakistan.
Most important military type critics like Chuck Hagel, Jack Murtha, and Jim Webb were greater hawks although they criticized Iraq war. America has never been passive, isolationist being aloof and withdrawn. It has always taken very active part in global affairs and it would continue to do. Every one believes that Americans would stay around in West Asia for many more years to come. Democrats would expand army and other administrative cadre. US hegemony would continue and rather thrive. No American President whether he is from Republican Party or Democratic Party would allow terrorists to dictate terms and attack the nation and its interests. Leaders would be born always out of crisis and there will be no dearth of such leaders in America when time demands. They would not take lying down. Probably this is only a fallacy that after President Bush USA would withdraw itself inwards as mooted by some alarmists. In the words of Michel S Rozeff the Louis M. Jacobs Professor of Finance at University at Buffalo, “As usual, the differences between Democrats and Republicans are not great enough to launch any serious reform of America’s political system and the many ills accompanying it. If the two parties need new blueprints for reducing terrorism, they might search LRC for ideas. On the big issue of foreign war, they could look here for starters and go from there”.
Bibliography
1. Paul H .Clyde, The Far East, Prentice Hall India, Edition III,
2. David Brooks. The American hegemony will live (By arrangement with New York Times), Deccan chronicle, Hyderabad, AP, India, Date Feb. 04, 2007, PP 6
3. Prof Dr Colonel (Retired) K Prabhakar Rao, Middle East the ever boiling cauldron with hared towards the west, www.faithcommons.org, October 16, 2006, 07:18
4. Prof Dr Colonel (Retired) K Prabhakar Rao, Taliban is getting stronger and reviving, www.faithcommons.org, November 22, 2006, 09:02
5. Prof Dr Colonel (retired) K Prabhakar Rao, Yemen, and the new hope for terrorists, www.faithcommons.org, June 10, 2007, 11:03
6. Prof Dr Colonel (retired) K Prabhakar Rao, Somalia, a Potential sanctuary for international terrorists, www.faithcommons.org, June 11, 2007, 09:03
7. Prof Dr Colonel (retired) K Prabhakar Rao, Southern Philippines and Terrorism, www.faithcommons.orgJune 21, 2007, 10:54
8. Prof Dr Colonel (retired) K Prabhakar Rao, Kenya a victim of Terrorism, www.faithcommons.orgJ June 29, 2007, 18:25
9.. Prof Dr Colonel (retired) K Prabhakar Rao, Sudan hand in glove with Terrorism. www.faithcommons.org, May 27, 2007, 10:42
10. Prof Dr Colonel (retired) K Prabhakar Rao, Algerians on the path of Terrorism, www.faithcommons.org, July 06, 2007, 19:41
11. Prof Dr Colonel (retired) K Prabhakar Rao, American President under continuous pressure over Iraq. www.faithcommons.org May 19, 2007, 12:28
12. Prof Dr Colonel (retired) K Prabhakar Rao, Iran heating up, www.faithcommons.org, February, February 28, 2007, 11:31
13. Prof Dr Colonel (retired) K Prabhakar Rao, Is USA already at war with Iran? www.faithcommons.org May 11, 2007, 11:33
14. Prof Dr Colonel (retired) K Prabhakar Rao, Iran the Damocles’ sword on Israel and USA. www.faithcommons.org November 03, 2006, 09:11
15. David Brooks. The American hegemony will live (By arrangement with New York Times), Deccan chronicle, Hyderabad, AP, India, Date Feb. 04, 2007, PP 6
16, Michael S. Rozeff, After Democrats Take the House, Then What? Lewrockwell.com, http://72.14.235.104/search?q=cache:CbNsKBD7m2QJ:www.lewrockwell.com
/rozeff/rozeff115.html+Will+Democrats+fight+terrorists+after+Bush&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2
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Prof Dr Colonel (retired) K Prabhakar Rao
www.faithcommons.org
1. American policy in the Middle East after Republican Party debacle, November 25, 2006, 07:07
2. The American President cornered, January 30, 200, 10:22
3. America should not create a vacuum in Iraq, April 06, 2007, 18:19
4. American President under continuous pressure over Iraq. May 19, 2007, 12:28
5. Middle East the ever boiling cauldron with hared towards the west, October 16, 2006, 07:18
6, Al Qaeda is still strong and active. It is time to go full steam against them, November 30, 2006, 11:51
7, Iraq a pain in the neck for USA December 03, 2006, 15:53
8. Is Iran going to be a nuclear reality? December 05, 2006, 12:14
9. Why every one in East dislikes USA? January 02, 2006, 19:08
10. Is cold war coming back? February 15, 2007, 18:00
11. NATO offensive in Afghanistan to be pushed up, March 06, 2007, 19:08
12. Are the relations between Saudi Arabia and USA getting strained? April 24, 2007, 09:11
13. Is USA already at war with Iran? May 11, 2007, 11:33
14. It is time for USA to battle its enemies more within main land, October 13, 2006, 07:49
15. Nuclear threat and Israel, October 19, 2006, 13:18
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USA and its continued involvement world wide
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 07/31/2007 - 20:43.
Dear Mr Reido,
American nation is more responsive to the situation and the two party system prevalent in the country is its greatest strength. In other democracies like Italy and India there is multi party democracy where every one is in the fray. Parties are created based on family ties, castes, religions, creed and on all types of silly matters. Every one is in fray. Thus national opinion is not truly represented at the parliament. Most of the time the members of the houses and the leaders are busy safeguarding the majority in the house and horse trading is the daily affair. This is not the case in America. Its people are able to express enblock on issues such as Iraq war etc. The world politics have drawn USA into many situations where conflict became inevitable. USA is seen as a Christian nation dominated by whites whose fore fathers belonged to Europe. There are srong ties with Europe and these can not be wiped out. The conflict of terrorism has infact taken a dimension such that the struggle is seen as a conflict between Chrstainity and Islam although all superficial talk around the world is trying to avoid this truth. The fundamentalist Muslims hate West, its culture, its scriptures and they made no bones about it. Thus the American struggle as the leader of West has become inevitable and USA can not escape. Nations such as Italy, Germany, France, UK, Hungary, Poland and many other European nations are not strong militarily and in terms of man poweer to wage war independently against the monster of Terrorism. Thus involvment of USA becomes essential. Or else it would knock at its door and it will not be surprising if terrorists land in US main land to trouble the country. USA being global economoc power can not isolate itself with the world and need others, their raw materials, know how, technical man power and finished goods. How can it isolate itself ?Thus involvement in future would be sure and with this problems too. The countries at times have to fight wars to maintain peace and own safetey. As a member of security council and UNO can Ameriuca abstain from its global responsibilities? America thus continues to be in similar situations in years to come. It can not escape.
Dr K Prabhakar Rao
» reply
America continues to dominate
Submitted by Dr K Prabhakar Rao (not verified) on Sat, 08/04/2007 - 03:33.
Dear Readers,
In recent news it is learnt that President Musharraf is worried that American forces could launch offensive into Wazirisdtan of Pakistan that has become haven for the AlQaeda and Taliban. There were reported statements from American prospective Presidential candidates to that effect in recent times. President Bush had to negate such fears to console Musharraf and termed them as electioneering gimmics. But the fact is that the next American President and the members of Senate are not going to keep quiet and withdraw in to shell after President Bush leaves office. It is very unlikely that Amercan forces would withdraw from Iraq in near future and would continue to occupy the area for much more time. Every one knows that iraq is incapable of dealing with the terrorists and the moment American forces leave Iraq it would become an AlQaeda camp. Pkaistan is also unable to stamp out Taliban and AlQaeda in their territory for the reasons best known to them. In such situation, the future American strategy would be to bomb and attack Waziristan province and annhilate Taliban and AlQaeda. This will not be liking to Pakistan and therefore is much worried. Future plan of American government would be to go more vigorously against Taliban and AlQaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan and tighten screw on Pakistan that has already swallowed billions of US dollars for co operation with USA. The results are not commensurate with the aid given to Pakistan. Withdrawing into shell by USA soon is a fallacy, In fact the war could be more vigorous in some sectors in future.
Dr K Prabhakar Rao
» reply
The Politics of War
Dr Rao
Protracted war is not an easy sell in this country. Contrary to what many citizens of the world think of US, we do not want or enjoy the prospects of spending the lives of our youth, or the economic tax base of our nation on it -- only when extremely provoked and immediately threatened. While many were sympathetic to the cause, the fallout of Bush's ill-advised intel about WMD's did not bode well for his cause.
Besides this, it has become apparent to most of us that the area is capable of attracting hordes of fanatics intent on picking at the scab of early stages of healing. They thrive on the guerilla tactic of small bombs in populated areas, while organized military has to hunt and pick among them.
Translated, that means US is in process of questioning the mission and the likelihood of it's success. Somewhere in the back of our minds lurks the possibility that a decade could easily be spent there, and in less than a month, it could return to its former state.