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July 28, 2006
A Sad Sign
We suspect most Americans would agree that the renewed escalation of violence between Israel and Lebanon is nothing short of tragic. Whomever is to "blame" -- and certainly each side can make a compelling case against the other -- the result is the all too familiar black cloud of bitter hatred, death and destruction that seems to continually hang over the region.
While officials from both countries cry with outrage and hurl insults (not to mention bombs) across the border, ordinary Israelis and Lebanese die. And those of us across the globe who keep hoping the residents of this ancient, volatile region will one day peacefully coexist can only shake our heads in sorrow.
Against this backdrop is another tragedy that has just played out and is more directly relevant to America's own interests and role in the world. The U.S. has lost its credibility with the rest of the world, and its ability to lead via diplomacy. Helene Cooper offers spot-on analysis in today's New York Times.
Just three years after the Bush Administration's cowboy diplomacy trampled over the global community and right on into Baghdad, the rest of the world clearly has not forgotten. Despite valiant efforts by Secretary of State Condi Rice to broker a cessation of hostilities, efforts that could signal a return to reality by the United States government, the damage has been done.
The deal fell apart, partially because of the widespread perception (fair or not) that the U.S. is biased toward Israel and against the Arab world. This perception gave ample cover for several European nations to play their usual game of cop-out, but in the past we could overcome Europe's public complaining with a wink and a nod while we made the tough calls. No more.
It may be that the U.S. has not only lost its credibility as an honest broker in world affairs, but also as a wise implementer of foreign policy. The jury is still out, but a growing consensus suggests that America's foray into Iraq will prove disastrous in the long term.
Prior to our Mesopotamian adventure, the United States' post-World War II foreign policy steered a steady, middling course, regardless of which political party was in power. The Project for a New American Century fellows who took the foreign policy reigns with the election of George W. Bush have taken us in a sharply different, and ideological direction. The future does not look good.
Posted by houtopia at July 28, 2006 05:03 PM