We all imagined ourselves being a President. We know what to do, the goals are clear and we have both the power and the will to steer the right course. Getting older brings some bitter understanding that things are more complicated than we think, and that being a President may be not that much fun (maybe except for Bill Clinton).
However, when the Army stopped short of taking Saddam out in 1991 Iraq War, I thought it was a dire mistake. I thought America needed to finish what was so successfully started (at that time I was still in Russia). Well, things are more complicated than what they seem, and Schwartzkopf was so convincing. I decided to trust him rather than my guts.
Second Iraq War is an expensive attempt to finish what should have been done in 1991. My guts did not betray me. My mind did. I trust the guts more now. Though I would not want to be a President (and as an immigrant, I can't anyway), I could theoretically become an adviser, even volunteer one. Not because I am smarter than administration advisers, but because I have lived in another country and I can understand and see things that people born and raised in America do not see.
I remember once helping to negotiate a deal between a Russian and American companies. Invited as an interpreter, I soon realized that both parties were wasting their time, Their values were so far apart, their not understanding each other was so obvious, that interpreting was useless. At the same time I could understand both parties, I knew their ways of thinking. It was a very simple issue and it proved to be so difficult to find common language.
When I listen to administration talking about bringing democracy to Iraq, I am scared. This phrase shows such huge lack of understanding of the other world that it really is dangerous. Because if America is to set the order there, this is one thing, and if it really sets the goal of bringing democracy there, than this is a disaster.
Different countries and nations can cherish different things. Americans, Brits and other Western countries would die for democracy and free speech, but for others it is of no value. Americans tend to think that everyone else loves what they love and in the same package, so to say. But this can't be further from the truth.
So why do we need to bring democracy to the rest of the world? This is impossible. And even the declaration like that would irritate a lot of countries (which happens to the administration). Killing a tyrant and freeing people does not mean that they would embrace democracy and enjoy freedom. Democracy does not come in place of tyranny and dictatorship. Killing the tyrant usually creates a void, and a lot of blood is shed (remember Chechnya, former Yugoslavia).
As an adviser to the President, I would compare the world to a family, where you have smaller children, teenagers and parents. They all have different level of maturity, and when rebellious teens think that they know everything, adults know better. They control the youngsters. World is not homogeneous. Some countries are much more advanced (details aside), and some are not. Before we were more apart and the world was not so small, and we did not affect each other like we do now. We are finally at a stage when acts of one country affect others, and now more and more - all of us. So, the times when the best thing you could do was not interfere, are gone.
Someone mature and strong should instill the rules for our global common good. America is an obvious choice, whether we want it or not. In this context, what should have America done differently in Iraq? Not bringing democracy, but taking out the forces, that are creating danger for the world. So, you go and take out Saddam, take out military installations, and get out. Whether they choose democracy or would vote for another tyrant, is not the issue. Every tyrant and dictator would know their limit. Like kids, they do something stupid, they are spanked. Same here. They know what is off limit, and whoever braves to break the limit pays. A parent straightens their kids when they deserve it, not when you think that no one would object.
This way the Administration could really fight the terrorism. North Korea's leader does not want to listen to the world, then bomb his installations, destroy the ability to manufacture nukes. And if the next dictator forgets the lesson, just repeat it. But do not take upon yourself what sounds stupid, and is stupid. Iraq may not need democracy, but need law and order. And they would do it to avoid the punishment.
For that America needs resolve, and she lacks it. Terrrorists did not make America weak, we do. By not standing up to a real danger. By thinking that as long as we are nice, others will be nice, too. By thinking that if we do not bother them, they will never come after us. And let us not be naive, that the next president would make them our friends and allies. They hate us with Republican Presidents and they hate is with Democrat Presidents.
The longer we wait, the stronger they become.
The more we hesitate, the more confident they get,
The more we restrain form using force, the more brazen they become.
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