Further reading on Iraq body counts: HERE and HERE. Some on WAR PLAN LEAKS, and Bush ATTACKING HIS CRITICS. Lastly, more political commentary in THIS POST.
I do not think American foreign policy has to be so militant. Whenever an issue crops up, our country is too impatient to fully work out the issue diplomatically. The US government jump on the little, unverified intelligence (yet the President attacks the news media when they use verified but not sure evidence for a report... unless it is in favour of the administration) we have and set up a war plan. In fact, they plan for the leap even before a speck of good evidence if found. This has not only been the case in Iraq, but in other conflicts as well.
I do not feel that civilians should die and suffer because our nation feels the need to but in on issues that, with time, would probably work themselves out. We also tend to ignore the people who criticize and differ from our opinions, labeling them as cowards or, if they are in our country, as unpatriotic. When military conflicts begin, we tend to not have a good roadmap and spread disinformation to the public about what is really going on, blinding most of them further.
Another issue is the hypocrisy of our foreign policy. We recognize some questionable nations, but not others (that may be less questionable), we want to let some of the worst human rights abuses fly in Saudi Arabia, yet we criticize countries like Iran, even though they have less abuses and a more democratic (although not democratic enough) government than Saudi Arabia. This is because we have a mutual, cushy friendly situation with the Saudis, so we shun other nations? I see it is alright to have our best interest in mind when representing ourselves on a national and intra-national scale, but on an international [global] scale, where we are the sole developed superpower, picking favorites regardless of others tarnishes our image and policies further. No world leading country (especially one that is arrogant enough to proclaim itself the "leader of the free world") should be so condescending and double standard ridden in their power-play foreign policy.
I believe our internal system of government needs a make-over, but our military and foreign policy are things that just need better decision-making, and better decision-makers. The government and the majority of the public show apathy to civilians killed in the countries we exploit or take over on a false premises. There is no death toll made by the US government of Iraqi civilians killed, so volunteers, reporters, NGOs, and regular people are having to try to do a civilian body count (which, even when presented to this administration, the count is shunned), which the government disputes and the military tries to stop. Whenever the media does thoughtful, often factual critiques or publishes information not troubling US security but information problematic to this President, they are bashed in a sea of rhetoric. The same people who preach democracy fight it. I just hope that we can get our policies right before the Iran and North Korea nuclear issues escalate further.
Why is America's foreign policy so messed up? Remember, what Americans do and who they vote for can influence millions outside US borders... if you are a US citizen, vote for the candidate who can make positive change this November!
* Here is a link to one of many good, non-partisan sites on US foreign policy.
Tuesday 17 October 2006
Foreign policy of death and destruction...
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