Last week’s midterm elections in the US were seen as crucial and decisive both on the domestic front and on the international level. A range of issues usually determines an election and this time the focus was on questions of ethics and foreign policy. The timing of the elections amid scandals and corruption by some members of Congress and deadlocks and failure in foreign policies prompted a higher number of Americans to exercise their franchise than would have been the case.
Over the past six years, the Bush administration has been initiating policies that have caused controversy among the American people. Under the pretext of war on terror, the United States violated privacy laws, disgraced rules of ethics, degraded civil liberties, encompassed corruption among some of its members and was in total acquiescence to the interests of corporate America against the interests of the individual citizen.
Externally, the invasion of Iraq and its aftermath was a major concern to the American voters. For three years, the majority of the American people struggled with themselves as they saw on their TV screens images of horrendous atrocities, torture and massacres of innocent people. Others suffered from the losses of their dear ones in Iraqi battlefields. The reasons for going into Iraq in the first place were found to be false and things were getting from bad to worse in Iraq, so the message was crystal clear — Americans wanted a change in the direction of the US policy in Iraq.
Iraq was not the only problem. The Bush administration was failing in Afghanistan too as the Taleban’s re-emergence showed beyond any doubt. The US government also seemed ambivalent in Lebanon as they failed to stop the Israeli destruction of infrastructure and the killing of innocent civilians in Southern Lebanon. Washington failed to resolve its discord with Iran and Northern Korea over their nuclear programs. They had inadequate policies in Darfur to stop the genocide. All these were issues of concern to the American people.
The mandate that the Americans have given to their president during his re-election in 2004 has bee withdrawn. Their verdict on the president’s performance was conclusive. The American people wanted change in foreign policy. They have spoken their mind clearly and adequately. Now that the election is over, the question that everybody is asking is what lies ahead and where is the answer to all of these problems.
Domestically voters expect less arrogance and obstinacy from the administration and more concentration and flexibility over issues that benefit the common man such as social security, health policy, minimum wages and the economy. The American people want guarantees for their homeland security, assurances against eavesdropping and a pledge for the protection of their civil liberties.
On the international front, the mandate will be a new direction in Iraq and on the war on terror. It may mean less involvement in the internal affairs of other countries on false pretexts and more credibility and accountability. The American citizens will need to face their challenges with moral authority and work out their difficulties through diplomacy and negotiations. Whether it is homeland security or energy needs, the United States will have to discuss its economic interests and strategic needs with the concerned states or within the context of the international organizations.
The use of military power to solve problems, real or imaginary, has been discredited by Bush’s failure in Iraq and Israel’s in Lebanon. America will soon realize that it cannot resolve its problems by military means.
An exit strategy from Iraq is perhaps possible through the assistance of two major regional countries, Saudi Arabia and Iran, who can work together to help resolve the internal conflicts given the allegiance of both Sunni and Shiite sects to these countries respectively. Both countries have common interests in having Iraq pacified. Both can benefit from having an independent, strong and peaceful Iraq.
The Americans have never been so hated in Europe, Asia, Latin America or the Middle East as they have been during these past few years. Anti-Americanism abroad is not a reflection of hatred toward the American people but rather it was targeted against US foreign policies. American interferences, invasions and hegemony are neither appreciated nor accepted in places like Iraq, Sudan, Venezuela or Afghanistan. America cannot be the policeman of this world. It has tried this role before and suffered the consequences.
As for our region, the impact of US policies during the Bush presidency has been harsh and painful. The invasion of Iraq was felt like an open wound and it would take a long time to heal.
The atrocities, the violation of international laws and the doctrine of pre-emptive wars have affected the region in a dangerous manner. Consequently, various regional countries reacted in resilience and determination to defend themselves, others joined in awkward alliances against the US while still others looked to other powerful states for security. The region can benefit best by strengthening a regional security pact that can withstand any invasion or threat to their natural resources or regional security. This time this pact should include all regional states including Yemen, Iraq and Iran.
