The Disconnect
George W. Bush gave a confident, clearly articulated, and I believe, excellent speech to the General Assembly of the United Nations. Text here. In it he correctly outlined how by extending freedom to those living under autocratic regimes one can hope to diminish the power and influence of religious fundamentalists.
Unfortunately for the world, George W. Bush's foreign policy rhetoric does not match his actions, the disconnect is profound. Although Bush's speech espouses support for liberal movements in the Middle East he continues to support regimes that alienate and suppress their populations. The issue with truly working towards the policy George W. Bush espouses in his speech is that if it were to be embraced it would most certainly result in short-term pain for the Middle East and the greater World; that course although painful in the near term, would ultimately be most beneficial in the long run. The near term pain would come from the immediate de-stabilization that would result from the United States withdrawing it support for the autocratic regimes of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, to name a few in the Middle East (Kazakhstan comes to mind in Asia). And although those regimes are our "friends" they are not party of the ideology espoused by George W. Bush. Such a plan is difficult, nearly impossible, for elected officials to pursue, especially in this age of instant critique and governing by polls.
George W. Bush even called on several such regimes, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, to help the Palestinian people achieve a state of their own. I do not believe that neither Saudi Arabia nor Egypt can claim any legitimacy in advising others on the merits of free markets or personal freedoms. He ironically claimed that freedom cannot be imposed, I assume this epiphany came to him after the invasion of Iraq.
Once George W. Bush's actions begin to reflect his rhetoric I believe the world will begin to make progress against radical Islam and fundamentalism under any banner. Unfortunately Bush has become so entrenched in the poor execution of his ideology that it is nearly impossible for him to stop and re-direct the proverbial cruise ship of his foreign policy endeavourer. Thus I believe George W. Bush's foreign policy has not been a failure of vision, but a failure of execution.
Unfortunately for the world, George W. Bush's foreign policy rhetoric does not match his actions, the disconnect is profound. Although Bush's speech espouses support for liberal movements in the Middle East he continues to support regimes that alienate and suppress their populations. The issue with truly working towards the policy George W. Bush espouses in his speech is that if it were to be embraced it would most certainly result in short-term pain for the Middle East and the greater World; that course although painful in the near term, would ultimately be most beneficial in the long run. The near term pain would come from the immediate de-stabilization that would result from the United States withdrawing it support for the autocratic regimes of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, to name a few in the Middle East (Kazakhstan comes to mind in Asia). And although those regimes are our "friends" they are not party of the ideology espoused by George W. Bush. Such a plan is difficult, nearly impossible, for elected officials to pursue, especially in this age of instant critique and governing by polls.
George W. Bush even called on several such regimes, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, to help the Palestinian people achieve a state of their own. I do not believe that neither Saudi Arabia nor Egypt can claim any legitimacy in advising others on the merits of free markets or personal freedoms. He ironically claimed that freedom cannot be imposed, I assume this epiphany came to him after the invasion of Iraq.
Once George W. Bush's actions begin to reflect his rhetoric I believe the world will begin to make progress against radical Islam and fundamentalism under any banner. Unfortunately Bush has become so entrenched in the poor execution of his ideology that it is nearly impossible for him to stop and re-direct the proverbial cruise ship of his foreign policy endeavourer. Thus I believe George W. Bush's foreign policy has not been a failure of vision, but a failure of execution.
posted by Anon. at 12:43 PM
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