Mission Accomplished…Again?
Given the recent events in the Middle East - Lebanon, Syria, Egypt and Iraq to a degree - I began to reflect on the notion that Bush may have been right. In other words, has the Bush doctrine, with the invasion of Iraq, been the catalyst for the democratic-like uprisings or changes in policy by some Middle East leaders? It was spontaneous combustion and an aghast thought for me to have!
Charles Krauthammer, Time Magazine, has an interesting view on recent events in the Middle East and the Bush doctrine. He sets the stage quite well to support his opinion by quoting two of the most unlikely people to admit Bush may be right - Jon Stewart and Daniel Schorr. Stewart and Schorr have raised the same question, was Bush right?
Maybe the Bush doctrine was/is the catalyst; time will tell. Maybe we are watching Act II of Mission Accomplished. The invasion of Iraq may be productive in the long term, but it certainly is not an assured outcome today. Krauthammer, with the arrogance equivalent to or greater than Bob Novak states:
"Two years ago, shortly before the invasion of Iraq, I argued in these pages that forcefully deposing Saddam Hussein was, more than anything, about America ‘coming ashore’ to effect a ‘pan-Arab reformation’—a dangerous, ‘risky and, yes, arrogant’ but necessary attempt to change the very culture of the Middle East, to open its doors to democracy and modernity…The Administration went ahead with this great project knowing it would be hostage to history. History has begun to speak."
I am overwhelmed with Krauthammer’s humility and clairvoyance.
Is Krauthammer standing on the deck of his ship with a Mission Accomplished banner behind him? First let me make it clear, I do not assume the position of naysayeer, but is this wine being served before its time? Ask the Shi’ites and Kurds. In 1991 after Bush 41 politely kicked Mr. Hussein out of Kuwait, they rose in opposition to Hussein. Their victory was the deaths of tens of thousands via chemical warfare.
Furthermore, I must take issue with his statement, "To what do we attribute this Arab spring? While American (and European) liberal and “realist” critics are seeking some explanation, those a bit closer to the scene don’t flinch from the obvious." Golly gee, Chucky, just how close are you?
It is abundantly clear and "real" that the non-flinching were oblivious when it came to discernment on weapons of mass destruction. And, let’s not forget that no matter what the outcome of the Bush doctrine is, wide-spread democracy or dictatorship, the President of the United States and his lieutenants did a major con job on Americans and the rest of the world justifying the invasion of a sovereign nation. A sovereign nation that is now a greater threat to Americans within Iraq’s borders and at home due to the post-Hussein breeding ground developed for terrorism within Iraq. My memory must be quite bad because I cannot remember President Bush nor his subordinates ever stating that the proliferation of democracy was the primary or even secondary objective. Eliminate the imminent threat of the mushroom cloud is what I recall.
Krauthammer’s entire article is "I told you so" and celebration of the "end result." No doubt he set the stage to proclaim his exceptional prognostication skills two years from now. At the end of his article (1,308 words and 6,645 characters) he subtly leaves a back door in the event he is wrong. For a disclaimer, Krauthammer dedicates 15 words.
Yes, the eventual spread of democracy may occur as a result of the war in Iraq. We all wish that to come true, but let’s not forget at what cost and on what basis America got involved. I give consideration to the fact that Bush may have initiated "the fall of the iron curtain", but I’m not landing my fighter plane on any warship yet.
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