“Recognize that Western intervention in the affairs of other civilizations is probably the single most dangerous source of instability and potential global conflict in a multicivilizational world.”
Larry DiamondThe United States, in a precision attack upon Gadhafi's Mansion, failed to kill the maniacal dictator but successfully killed one of his sons and three of his grandchildren. The government supporters, who are beginning to lose what was once a deadlocked civil war have now begun to call the Gadhafi family as "martyrs" and shouted "Oh Youth, this is time for Jihad." (CNN "Libya says Gadhafi's son killed in airstrike, vows death to invaders") Of course, the rebels reveled in the news of the air strike.
This is an interesting problem. There are opposed principles at play here. 1) The United States should not involve itself in the affairs of other country, we should avoid entangling alliances and mingling in the affairs of sovereign nations, & 2) the United States should promote and encourage Democracy.
I do not believe the interest in democracy outweighs the interest in non-interventionism. I do believe Gadahfi is a lunatic mass-murdering tyrant, but it is the not the role or mandate of the US to intervene in the rebels affairs. Doing so will create backlash, blowback, as can be seen by the war cries for insurgency by pro-government forces, as they call for insurgency. History has repeatedly taught us, oftentimes quite harshly, that intervention inexorably leads to unintended consequences.
We overthrew Mossadegh, the democratically elected leader of Iran, through a CIA clandestine concocted coup, the Iranians have not forgotten this and animosity exists to this day. We supported, armed, and provided financial support to Saddam Hussein as he invaded Iran after the Iranian US backed murderous Shah was overthrown and Iran had instated their Ayatollah Khomeni. So we backed the murderous and unprovoked opportunistic offensive of the madman Saddam Hussein against the Iranians. Only to have the Iranians enraged by our interference, and as we can tell we did not ingratiate ourselves too well with the Iraqi people. The point of this little history lesson is that if the past is not looked at, it will be repeated. Ignorance is not a feasible policy plan.
Gadahfi is a madman, he is murderous, but who are the rebels? I personally hope the rebels win and create a democracy for Libya, so everyone can have a voice. BUT, I do not support the intervention of the status quo.
The United States should practice more restraint and humility.... to be continued....& edited
Good points about our history with Iran. Pro-war types don't like to talk about our past transgressions in the middle east. With their go-USA blinders on, they can only assume that our intentions are pure.
ReplyDeleteAs for Libya, I doubt even that we are interested in democracy. If history is any guide, we're only interested that whatever tyrant replaces the current one will be OUR tyrant.