Ever since the September 11th attacks and after George Bush declared war on terrorism, US foreign policy has transformed into a simple game of baseball. A baseball game much similar to the Yankees versus the Brewers, an outcome completely predictable. The pitcher lines up batters like poor people at a soup kitchen, then throws like a punch-drunk animal, but with skill, intimidating the batter, shocking the umpire, and hitting a four-year-old girl in the sidelines. Strike, you’re out! America has no use for outfielders.
Immediately following the fall of Ba’athist Baghdad, Washington began making accusations and issuing warnings to Iran, a member of Bush’s “axis of evil” and Iraq’s neighbor to the east. The administration, with aggression originating from primarily the Pentagon, accuses Iran of promoting the desire for non-secular theocratic government ideals in Iraqi Shi’ite communities. The US-led coalition leaders (hmmécoalition? I haven’t heard Blair give any input for quite some time) claim to foresee Iranian influence as a threat to the future existence of a democracy in Iraq. In addition, the Bushites also accuse Iran of accelerating their nuclear ambitions and consciously harboring al-Qaida elite. Absolutely none of these claims have been backed by substantial evidence, and therefore, are currently a jumble of assumptions. However, in review of pre-war Iraq relations between the US, UN, and the public, this is no assurance that our administration won’t base actions on a handful of intelligence-starved claims.
The Pentagon has reportedly begun clandestine, non-military operations to weaken the Iranian government, with intentions to oust the leadership of the Islamic Republic. Support for Iranian insurgent groups and campaigns to ruin the Republic’s internal popularity should be anticipated from the Pentagon. The more cautious State Department opposes such tactics, but only because the diplomats prefer to avoid creating bad relations with President Mohammed Khatami, a pro-democracy reformist seated below Iran’s leading clerics. The US pressure has increased tension between the political reformists in parliament and the Supreme Leaders (conservative Islamic clerics) who hold constitutional authority, severely injuring chances for democratic reform. Colin Powell desires to continue diplomacy and preserve the opportunity for Iran to reform by internal means, perhaps a more silent technique for bringing regime change. Good thinking Colin, you’re a sly one, but everyone knows that the Commander in Chief adheres to Pentagon policies because he’s a big tough American, a hero, a real patriot indeed. On May 27th, the soon-to-resign White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer stated that “the future of Iran will be decided by the Iranian people.” That statement brings my thoughts to liberated Iraq, where the country’s future is being decided by officials in Washington. Thanks for the assurance, Ari, I hope your blatant remarks make the Iranian people feel really secure.
The arrogant tyrants of Washington are using the same superficial accusations against Iran as they used to justify pelting Baghdad with bombs. These accusations are trite, but effective enough to use against the Vatican, consisting of 1) the possession or suspected proliferation of WMDs, which pose a tremendous threat to national security because the distinguished maniacal leaders can launch an attack at any given moment; 2) the sick-minded totalitarians are linked to al-Qaida because they are Muslim and or hate America in vain; again posing a threat to homeland security and sending a chill down your spine. If our representatives can make the US public shiver and sweat, then they can bomb anything they desire.
This is the war on terrorism, another vague excuse (apparent when thoroughly analyzed) to continue unnecessary military and “defense” spending at traditional Cold War rates. When Osama bin Laden is captured like the Soviet collapse, who or what will Washington use? The war on terrorism is more efficient than the Soviet threat because Socialist empires can be extinguished, as terrorism will always exist, whether institutional or completely unorganized. The definition of terrorism is another factor in determining reliability. The universal definition of terrorism doesn’t exist in a solid form. Terrorism’s definition is like cookie dough, able to be molded and shaped into anything, with an option of adding chocolate chips. Before Iraq was invaded, there were pro-war demonstrations occurring throughout the US with people holding signs that read, “Peace Protestors are Terrorists”, a fine example of the term “terrorist” being used to one’s political advantage.
Before you support military operations in the name of patriotism, evaluate the administration’s claims in such a manner: 1) Are all accusations supported by credible evidence and proof? Our administration obviously doesn’t apply the “innocent until proven guilty” virtue on foreign policy. The entire “Operation Iraqi Freedom” was based on bogus claims that neither the CIA nor UN weapons inspection team could corroborate. 2) Is war necessary to accomplish the administration’s goals? The CIA could have ousted the Ba’ath regime with ease (and much less public funding), as they have done in many nations all throughout the 20th century.
Both Afghanistan and Iraq have struck out, Syria is on first base, North Korea (the only homerun hitter) is sitting on a bench in the dugout, and Iran is stepping up to bat. Will America throw a curve, slider, fastball, or just peg Iran in the knee? Iran ought to bunt and run fast, because America is a tricky pitcher that never heeds the umpire. Caution is crucial because the next inning may spark uproar from the crowd, who already knocked over America’s twin outhouses and vandalized the manager’s office. Hopefully the underdog will prevail, or at least receive a fair fight. During tomorrow’s game, which has already been dubbed “the war against tyranny”, America will play the People. Tomorrow’s game will be a difficult challenge for the People, who are new and lack organization. Although the People are an amateur team, they have tons of unified hope, driven by a desperate desire for progress. Thank you for tuning into the World Series, we’ll be back after a quick commercial break; don’t touch that dial.
“Our world has suffered from both violent dogmatists and arrogant powers. On the one side, terrorism and fanaticism have distorted religion and, on the other side, the resort to the use of force, domination, and unilateralism have made a mockery of concepts such as freedom and democracy.”
Mohammed Khatami, Iranian President,
regarding the US ‘war on terrorism’, the al-Qaida network, and Islam.
The writer is a soon-to-be college student who recently graduated high school in Omak, Washington, USA. He is interested in Journalism, Politics, Economics, and Foreign Policy. He contributed above article to Media Monitors Network (MMN).
