Napoleon famously said that if France catches a cold, the whole world does too. Now it is said that if America sneezes, the world catches its cold. What if America catches a cold? What will happen to the world? A question like this seems important in the aftermath of the latest events, which has affected the United States and caused considerable harm and loss both in human and economic terms.
It seems obvious that Sept. 11 will be a historic date in various ways. The United States, which has been the champion and the official voice of globalization, market liberalization and the guarantor of freedom of movement for people, funds and information, has become the first to call for the building of fortresses and walls of protection, and to prioritize security over freedom and liberties.
All borders that were removed will be rebuilt, with stronger foundations, immediately. This of course will not be an exclusive initiative. Europe, the Far East, Latin America and Australia will follow suit. Needless to say, this will bring back the isolationist ideology, which will take the world backward to a mindset which we all would rather forget.
We can ill afford to glorify an ideology of “tribes with flags,” groups of common ethnicity or religion searching for a special place in this world and attempting to cancel the global village project rather than being proactive and sticking to the course.
Instead, this will be replaced by a series of islands scattered in an ocean of doubt, fear and vengeance. Because this nightmare has no end in sight and we do not know enough details to judge it by, it is safe to say that any trade — regardless of the profits to be sought from it or human networking and the chances and opportunities of fruitful relations to be gained from it — will be replaced by a xenophobic outlook that will only highlight negatives. Doubt will replace trust, isolation will replace integration. This might be an important opportunity to stop, reflect and self analyze. The US and its allies can review their political and economic policies, taking into consideration its own national interest as well as that of others. To be a responsible and honest leader, not a controlling and an unjust one. Globalization should be integrated, fair and equal, not a process of master and slaves or leader and followers.
We hope that freedom will not be the first victim of this horrendous act. We recall here what the father of the American constitution Thomas Jefferson said: “Any nation that replaces its freedom for the sake of its security doesn’t deserve either.”
It is also a chance for the Arab countries in general and the Arab Gulf countries in particular to review some of their internal matters which have resulted in odd and strange personalities joining the violent extremist world which in no way adheres to the official policies and direction of their governments.
It would be important to evaluate and dissect these shortcomings honestly and objectively and to fully review matters, which were considered taboo in the past. Necessity calls for such an honest dialogue so we are not faced with complications rather than openness and nationalization rather than globalization. Without this honest and sincere review of the situation, the true and ugly face of terror will achieve its goal.
