Hi JMA,
No news, emanating from anywhere in the world is free from agendas, interests, prejudices, bias or even not aimed at serving national interests. The difference is that the degree varies. Therefore, one has to take it for what it is worth and base one’s views on that. That is an infirmity that one has to accept.
Gaddafi’s ‘charm’ extends far and wide in the Islamic world, not only in Uganda but as far as Pakistan, for ‘services’ in propagating the Islamic ‘honour’ and cause! The Islamic nations matter in international politics, whether we acknowledge it or not, or else an obscurantist, fundamentalist, autocratic, despotic regime as the House of Saud, would have been taken to task well before Saddam Hussein.
Therefore, IMHO, to ride rough shod over an icon and hero of Islam like Gaddafi remains a moot point and then have the albatross around the neck that the Great White Satan reigniting the Crusades!
The Democratic Index may have great meaning in the western world, but it has no meaning in large part of the world, especially in those parts where Democracy is merely a buzz word and where religion or money making is the paramount concern like the Islamic world (religion) and China (money). A visit to the numerous foras of these countries where the cyber warriors abound, will indicate how the common man of these countries have very little concern about ‘democracy’ when pitted against religion (Islamic countries) and China (money).
As to why they are in the UN the answer is simple. They also a part of the world. And to ensure that the voice of only the powerful is what makes the world move, inspite of the sham democratic façade of the UN, we have the UNSC. So, it is quite safe, depends on your perspective on the issue.
The fact that the US is keeping in the background is the best thing for the US. It has been buffeted too long where if they act, they are damned and if they don’t act they are damned. This time around, the US actions, on the face value, appears to indicate that they are keeping their hands off and practically telling the world to solve their problems themselves and see how difficult it is! Yet, one would be naïve to believe that US is not keeping its finger on the pulse and administering the necessary tweaks. I would shudder to believe that the US has no clue as to what is happening in the Arab world.
As I see it, the US is allowing all the Pollyannas to act – the UN, Arab League, the AU and even the NATO. It is when they will all raise their hand in desperation, maybe then the US will ‘reluctantly’ act!! That is why I felt that the US is showing ‘patience and Machiavellian astuteness’.
If you opine that ‘motivation for an intervention is sound but the method of the intervention is poor or unsuccessful , and find cause for ‘humanitarian assistance’, and also feel that one has to be pragmatic over morality, what is your blueprint/ roadmap? Go gung ho as in Iraq, be labelled ‘neo colonialist and imperialist’ and then have another lament on the hands?
Another observation I have is that if the world is so disgusted with Gaddafi, then why don’t they act unilaterally? Why must they expect the US to do their dirty work, if one calls it dirty work; and if they (US) don't do it to the satisfaction of others, then should the others then bellyache?
In so far as Afghanistan is concerned, the US does not bear the blame as much as Pakistan, their ISI and the Arab hordes do. If that means the world is ignorant, then it is to the US’ credit that they have palmed off the blame!!
Bookmarks