When campaigning for president, George W. Bush vowed to take the United States out of the business of nation-building; no longer would America be concerned with troublesome countries. After a decade-long break from the East vs. West mentality that shaped the 50-year Cold War, the US toyed with different ideas about how to interact with the international community.
Then came September 11, when demands for a definite foreign policy emerged. Yet, as the country has gained distance from the terrorist attacks, the blueprint for US foreign policy has once again become hazy. But over the past few weeks, answers to the next generation of US foreign policy have become increasingly clear: In his State of the Union address, President Bush labeled Iran, Iraq, and North Korea as the “Axis of Evil.” That sophomoric comment–and Bush’s resolve to pursue military aggression towards those countries–has removed old enemies from mothballs, and is currently re-configuring the geo-political map of the world. The US is choosing new allies and declaring new enemies.
Last week, Secretary of State Colin Powell and President Bush separately announced plans to take down Saddam Hussein, the stubborn leader of Iraq. With our country standing at the brink of a new foreign policy, the Mercury surveyed two local experts about what form it may take. Ron Tammen is a professor at Portland State University’s Hatfield School of Government; Dave Zundel works with Portland Peaceful Response, a coalition of activists that sponsor weekly anti-war vigils.
Mercury: Why are these changes in foreign policy important?
Tammen: “The next few years will determine the next 50 years.”
How’s that?
Tammen: “For example, I think forming an alliance with Pakistan (and ignoring
India) is a strategic error. India is a superpower in development. In 20 years,
India will have more people than China. Their democracy–as rugged and difficult
as it is–is still practicing. India is 10 times more powerful than Pakistan.
But if we treat them as an enemy now, they will be an enemy later.”
Zundel adds: “The world does not like it when you act like an 800-pound gorilla–especially an 800-pound gorilla with no manners. In Afghanistan, it is as if they [the Bush administration] are making it up as they go. People get nervous when you are unpredictable, especially when you’re an 800-pound gorilla. It seems like they are moving without thinking about the consequences.”
What is it that makes the countries labeled as the “Axis of Evil” a threat?
Tammen: “It was a speech writer’s phrase. No one really mused about its
impact on foreign policies. Iran is a powerhouse of that region. If the US were
wise, they would be building relations. The fact that we’re not is a strategic
error.”
Zundel: “This is one of the stupidest things I’ve heard a president say. Iran is showing profound changes. The opportunity for negotiation and for dialogue is lost. Calling them an ‘Axis of Evil’ is not how to make friends and influence people.”
What about Iraq? When justifying the reasons to depose Saddam Hussein,
President Bush said, “that debate is settled.” Is Iraq truly a threat?
Zundel: “Iraq is not a pressing threat to anyone. It is rather appalling
that the US is putting itself in the business of deposing Saddam Hussein. No
one likes Saddam Hussein. But it is not the US’ decision to make, and it is
truly arrogant.”
Tammen disagrees: “I think the United States has to get rid of Saddam Hussein. There is concessive justification: When he develops nuclear weapons, he will use them. There’s no equivocation in that statement. Even when he’s not cornered, he uses everything in his arsenal.”
Is US foreign policy arrogant?
Tammen: “It’s not an arrogance. Certainly, the United States has been heavy-handed
with its dealings. Sure, we’ve mucked around in Haiti, Nicaragua, and various
other places from time to time. But we help organize the international system
by forming the common rules of the road.”
On Wednesday February 27, Portland State University will sponsor a speech
by Michael Parenti, author of The Terrorism Trap. The event begins for
the general public at 1 pm at the Smith Memorial Center.