“America's Road to Ruin”
The Earth, today, is a very complex planet, with many peoples, beliefs, and governments. One essential part of any nation’s success is the relationship that is maintained between it and other peoples. Diplomacy determines whether a government is considered honorable, just, respected, feared, and/or hated. Basically, American policies and diplomacy dictate our reputation. We, the United States, have assumed policies that have brought about a growing anti-American sentiment abroad. South Americans denounce the United States for imperialism, colonialism, and oppression. Islamic fundamentalists label Americans infidels, and the country as evil. Europeans criticize American capitalism, and culture. Nearly every country in the Middle East, most in Europe & East Asia, as well as many countries in South America, protest American policies; virtually, the entire world opposes the impact, and influence that America has on their lives. Foreign relations are critical; diplomatic reforms must be implemented to avoid future confrontations, improve relations, and stabilize global discontent.
The Middle East region has been the hub of anti-Americanism, often blamed on specific U.S. policies in the region, especially U.S. support of Israel. Out of the opposition to the Jewish state, many groups have risen out of the Arab dissenters. Groups in the Middle East e.g.: Hezbollah, offer a militant brand of Islam, Arab pride, and Palestinian nationalism, vowing to destroy the nation of Israel, and America. Even in Iran’s parliament, and at protest, the chants of “Death to America” are used liberally.
It is our support of the Jewish state that has made the U.S. a mark by Arabs since Israel’s conception; however, it has increased sharply since the late 70’s. In 1979, student radicals took the U.S. embassy in Tehran, Iran; they held dozens of U.S. diplomats hostage for over a year. Anti-American sentiments have continued to grow in the area since the Iran hostage crisis due to our shrewd business practices, support of Israel, Israeli incursions, and rising tension over disputed holy sites around Palestine. The hatred of America stems from Islamic anti-Semitic views; hence, that aspect cannot be avoided. America should be promoting religious tolerance, and be non-biased; nevertheless, we provide aid to Israel because, otherwise, they face eradication. Again, America appears as partial. It is essential that we rely on our alliances. It would be more creditable, and objective if it were accomplished through international efforts. The United States should not be, solely, involved in religious wars, and bare the ancient bigoted stigma of being neo-crusaders.
In 2002, during the “State of the Union speech”, George W. Bush publicly denounced North Korea, Iran, and Iraq as comprising an “Axis of Evil”. Bush alleged that Iraq and Iran were sympathetic to the Hezbollah and al-Qaeda terrorist, listing them as “rogue states” that supported terrorism, sought weapons of mass destruction, and to derail the Middle East peace plan. In any case, America has tried imposing sanctions to prevent them from becoming nuclear powers, but Russia has provided logistics and material aid to Iran, Iraq, and North Korea’s nuclear programs. Russia continues to supply Iran with conventional weapons, and supports the completion of Iran’s nuclear power plant, despite U.S. protests. America must revise its stances; as long as others will provide aid to them, our attempts at embargos are moot.
According to Fig. 1, a twenty-five-nation survey conducted by the B.B.C., it appears the World disagrees with how the United States deals with nearly every issue it plays a part in.
Fig. 1. B.C.C. Poll, Why Do They Hate Us? (ScienceBlogsLLC, 2005 - 2008), B.B.C. 15 Apr 2008 /scienceblogs.com/effectmeasure/2008/03/why_so_they_hate_us.php>
In every instance, the majority disapproves.
If one seeks a different measure of international opinion, look no further than the arts. Americans are seen as pompous, well-to-do bullies that use their capital, and technology to manipulate others. It is interesting that the word “bully” is synonymous with “to terrorize”; that being the case, we are seen as hypocrites, perpetuating the ideals that we are at war with. This view is demonstrated in many cultures, via theater, satires, or musical parodies. British plays, such as, “Guantanamo Baywatch" and “The Madness of George Dubya”, satirizes George W. Bush, and Tony Blair (Economist, p4). Similarly, Raymond van het Groenewoud is a popular Belgian musician, who wrote a song called "Weg met Amerika", or "Down with America”. The Brussels Journal features the lyrics in the article, “Down with America: the Anti-American Dance”:
Hamburgers and coke, yes you already knew
But do you also know the cause of the general decay?
Shortsighted thinking, loud talking
Sticking to one-liners forever
Down with America!
Down with the jerks from America
Down with America!
Down with American colonialism
Down with that ugly, biting English
All the Anglo-Saxon pretence, arrogance
Yes, a hot pick up their ass
I am from the Belgian, the European panel
And I ask you: Clear my channel! Clear my channel!
Megalomaniac, unicellular idiots (Braekel 3).
The popularity of plays and songs like these demonstrate the repercussion of the U.S.’s obstinate policies, and military incursions. This is, likewise, overt in a survey noted in the Economist article: “Wooing the World”, The “Pew Research Centre's annual survey of the global opinion of America” found that 26 out of the 33 countries polled have a less favorable view of the United States than they did in 2002 (Economist par.2). As an American, these polls and opinions seem slanted, and completely unacceptable; at the same time, it is disgracefully obvious why.
Considering the majority consensus, it is inconceivable why our leaders think it is the U.S.’s duty to police the world. The American military is deployed in over 100 countries around the globe; some of these deployments have existed for over fifty years. We still maintain military presence in Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, Germany, South Korea, and many others. Several of these long standing intrusions of sovereign countries are not welcomed, and only add to our unfavorable image. In East Asia, many oppose the presence, and behavior of American military personnel stationed there. In 1995, three U.S. service men rented a van and kidnapped a twelve-year-old Japanese girl. They duct taped, beat, and raped her. That event is known as the Okinawa rape incident, which burns deep in the Japanese psyche, with the post-WWII scars still lingering. Then, during 2002 and 2003, there was the questionable treatment of detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and the infamous atrocities committed at the prison in Abu Ghraib, Iraq. These events sparked outrage, and heated debate about human rights, torture, and violations of the Geneva Convention. In a 2005 report, by the human rights organization: Amnesty International, the United States was chastised for its conduct, stating:
“Instead, the US government has gone to great lengths to restrict the application of
the Geneva Conventions and to "re-define" torture. It has sought to justify the use
of coercive interrogation techniques, the practice of holding "ghost detainees"
(people in unacknowledged incommunicado detention) and the "rendering" or
handing over of prisoners to third countries known to practice torture. The
detention facility at Guantánamo Bay has become the gulag of our times,
entrenching the practice of arbitrary and indefinite detention in violation of
international law. Trials by military commissions have made a mockery of justice
and due process. The U.S.A., as the unrivalled political, military and economic
hyper-power, sets the tone for governmental behavior worldwide. When the most
powerful country in the world thumbs its nose at the rule of law and human rights,
it grants a license to others to commit abuse with impunity and audacity
(Khan, par.9).”
These barbaric and inhumane displays, being perpetuated by the American government, result in the U.S. looking as bad as terrorist, or worse in some cases. The 2005 report goes so far as to compare our methods in Guantanamo to the brutal Soviet gulags. That is an appalling comparison, and quite shameful to patriotic Americans.
Obviously, some of the choices made by U.S. political leaders do not represent the majority of the American citizens, or the aspirations of the World. It seems that the U.S. government has its own agenda, regardless of popular opinion. The most popular rebuttal argues that becoming isolationist will enflame World conflict, resulting in a power vacuum. I’m not sure why proponents of Foreign policy reforms assume an all or nothing stance. Why must it be extreme left, or right… isolation, or globalization? Are we not capable of moderation? A positive middle ground exist that would be more appealing to U.S. international interest, and lead to an acceptable view of America. The key is an alliance of nations to undertake what the U.S. has been pursuing alone i.e. What the United Nations was constructed for. This can only be accomplished by communication, and compromise.
“This isolationist sentiment is particularly marked when it comes to free trade.
Worry about globalization is deeper and broader than it has been for decades. It
has spread from the working class to the middle class, thanks to the outsourcing
of brainwork, and from the Democrats to the Republicans. In their presidential
campaigns both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have been playing on popular
anxieties about globalization, making a particular point of bashing the North
American Free-Trade Agreement (NAFTA) at every opportunity (Economist,
par.19).”
It is pleasing to see that the candidates realize how important it is to halt globalization; Let us hope that it is not mere lip service. The supporters of globalization use the isolationist label often, for their own biased, greedy purposes. Those that oppose globalization see it as a guise for intentions of World economic domination, as stated by Noam Chomsky (par, 2- 17). He is one of the most prolific activists to speak out against U.S. foreign policies. Chomsky cites issues with globalization, beginning with the term "globalization" itself. Noam stated that “globalization” refers to a capitalist-sponsored economic integration, rather than being a benign term for things becoming international (Chomsky, par.17).” In essence, the designated term is an attempt to evade the realization that the U.S. desires to establish international capitalist enterprises, and economic dominance (Chomsky, par.9). U.S. propaganda attempts to sell that we are merely trying to promote economic prosperity, and ensure World security, but the opposition dismisses our intent as having aggressive capitalist, colonialist, and imperialist ambitions. Foreigners do not fall for these red herrings; however, such types of subversive propaganda tactics do influence the American population to an extent. Those methods are aimed at arousing domestic support for international initiatives.
As long we continue to be lead by greedy self-interest, the international community will not be receptive to our desires. Our very arrogance in assuming the role as the self-elected World police only makes these issues more evident. America should, at least, be impartial when dealing with diplomatic situations. If we want to be respected then we must earn respect as being an honest entity. Currently, our partisan position is reflected in the United Nations, as well in the Middle East conflict. It is that partiality that caused events like September 11th in the first place. We seem to be manifesting a reoccurring, dismal trend that could, in the worst-case scenario, lead to a bloc to squelch U.S. aggression. That is plausible if it continues its current proliferation. We should listen to the world community, and do everything with an alliance. Our recent rogue ways will only serve to disconnect us from the globe, and ensure that radicals have plenty of ammunition for their fiery anti-American rhetoric.
America has always played a dangerous game, diplomatically. Of course, most decisions are determined by shallow self-interest. Our past support for dictators and oppressive regimes does not help our case, either; we supported Saddam Hussein’s Ba’ath party for decades, and Osama Bin Laden in the Afghan war against Russia. It is ironic how it has come back to bite us. Our aim should be to commence a new epoch in American international affairs. It is time to undergo vast reforms of our country’s methods, and goals. We should be concentrating on our own domestic and economic issues. If we put as much energy and funds into our nation’s problems as we do interfering with others, we would be much better off. There is no telling what feats we could accomplish. We want to prim, posture, and be proud of America, but we don’t have a lot to brag about, currently. The United States should lead the world on every front, from education, industry, science, culture, human rights, to ending world epidemics. The World needs a model to follow, and like it our not America is the leader. Sadly, we have been setting a very poor example. What has America shown the Globe? That if you are powerful, you can do whatever the hell you want? That is deplorable. We need a reality check, and it appears 9-11 did not work; it is time we got our priorities in order. We have spent the past centuries positioning ourselves to influence as many aspects of the World as possible. It has lead to power, as well as the present unpopular opinion of our nation. The age of expansion and empire building should be drawn to its close; colonialism and imperialism have become passé, mankind grows weary of it. America needs to usher in an era of diplomatic, domestic, social, and economic change. Americans are so patriotic; if we want to be worthy of an unblemished admiration, we must start by changing World opinion.
America must begin by significantly reducing its military presence around the globe. We should close Gitmo, phase out of Iraq, and other long occupied post. That would relieve the issues with U.S. soldier conduct, and additional native resentments. It is imperative that we work with the United Nations, or a more powerful coalition should be formed, under conditions that promote impartiality and prosperity for all. We should use our military might, as a super power to ensure world stability, although, we must have the support of such an alliance, and with approval of, both, the U.S. Senate, and House. No action should be taken without approval of our government bodies, and an international coalition. A U.S. President should not have the autonomy to declare war at his or her own discretion, as Bush did, period. If it were that way before, we would be saved the conceivable accusation that George Bush is avenging his father, and fulfilling his marred legacy. It will be difficult undertaking; but it is logical and necessary. The citizens love America, or their idea of it, but there is much that our government does that we do not agree with. Americans just want to be proud of our country, as we once were. We look forward to that day, and until then, the majority will continue to stand for a more tolerant, humane, and altruistic America.
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