WASHINGTON, D.C. (4/26) -
The world is in a crisis of hatred. This crisis is fueled by a
clash of cultures, poverty pitted against abundance and military
might against those with limited weapons. Hostilities against the
world's sole super power are at an all time high. The rage defined
as terrorism grows and gains greater life. It thrives upon
the use of overwhelming U.S. military force, ambitions to
democratize the entire Middle East and by a war for the Gods.
There is a new and deeper hatred for America which runs from the
Middle East across Europe and even to Latin America. Former U.S.
allies become enemies and the real enemy cannot be clearly
defined, if defined at all. The currents run deep in the struggle
for power and political and religious impact. The back tow
is pulling the world deeper into a sea of danger and death. The
spiral of violence out of control leaves the future of all
uncertain.
Some
argue that the path being taken by the world's only superpower is
the best solution to create a better and safer world.
Others
argue that the chaos is
being exacerbated by the policies and ambitions of that
superpower. One thing is clear, a wide division exists which is
splitting the world.
Every decision matters in this very volatile world and the impact
of many have deep and long term consequences that we may not yet
be able to recognize. The decisions to pursue and endorse certain
actions and policies reverberate around the world under close
scrutiny.
The decision by the U.S. to
veto the U.N. efforts to condemn the Israeli assassination of
Hamas spiritual leader Yassin and the perception that the U.S. is
condoning more extrajudicial assassinations by Israel, may have
more impact than we think. Condoning the assassination of Yassin
will not have the same reception that taking out Saddam Hussein
had.
One was a widely recognized
tyrant. He oppressed his people and at their expense maintained
lavish lifestyle. The other an old man in a wheel chair that spoke
softly and maintained a humble, if not meager existence. One a
spiritual leader. The other a secular ruler. Whether Yassin was a
real threat to Israel may not matter that much in the long run.
What may be more important is the symbolic message sent to the
world by Yassin's brutal assassination - just after leaving
prayers - and the apparent approval of the U.S.
The decision to parade Egyptian
President
Mubarak
before the world, as a Bush ally, without
letting him know that two days later Sharon and Bush would
announce the new shift in U.S. policy was a mistake. The failure
to tell
Mubarak that he
would be
fully endorsing Sharon's and taking sides
on the issue of settlements and the right of return, was an insult
to
Mubarak
and the Arab world. It was met with harsh
reaction and greater U.S. hatred. King Abdullah of Jordan promptly
canceled his scheduled visit with Bush.
This series of perceived
insults and disrespect begins to have a toll. It is
increasing the hatred and aligning enemies for their very
survival. When this series of recent actions is added to the Bush
unilateralism, the threats to Iran, Syria and others, the plan to
democratize the entire Middle East, the Bush arrogance, and
Israeli threats to Iran and Syria, the quagmire in Iraq is made
more difficult.
As
the world is further divided on the issue of how to deal with the
war against terrorism, more shadows are created. We are in battles
against the ghosts in shadows we are helping to create against an
enemy that we cannot see and can only vaguely define. It is a
battle with a rage that may have built up over centuries - an
anger deeply engrained in the hearts of many oppressed around the
world, radical religious fervor, and a renewed opposition to
military might that imposes values and political systems.
We fight a war on terror. That terror seeks to uproot the powers
that be and change their direction through forms of violence not
acceptable to any religion. It is a war nations started centuries
ago against their own citizens. It is a war against the
Mujahideen - a force that the U.S. supported in Afghanistan
- a choice which may now, years later, be biting back.
Each decision we make in the war on terrorism and the war in Iraq
has life and death consequences and historic impact. The
"consequences" are irreversible.
As we are now poised to go into
Fallujah, a very difficult choice has to be made. The choice is
made more difficult by; the demands and deadlines already given by
the U.S.;
the political pressure to prove the U.S. has
"stomach;" whether confrontation with the resistance is
inevitable;
whether or not going in will make the situation
worse later; the American and Iraqi civilian lives that will be
lost, and by the unforeseen consequences that may be produced by
Iraqi nationalism and anti-Americanism.
The decision to go into
Fallujah may be more important than the decision to go into Iraq
in view of the path that has lead us to where we are now. Bush is
now in Crawford and must shoulder the decision about the use of
more military force in Fallujah and the manner and amount to be
used. It all matters.