The Cold War and the Fight against Terrorism - Essay Example

The Cold War and the Fight against Terrorism 1. The cold war is becoming eerily similar to the war on terror, in that both are being characterized by feelings of paranoia and fear throughout the United States of America. However, like all wars, a lot of differences in policy and execution abound. In light of this, this part will evaluate and analyze the differences and similarities between the cold war and the war on terror. Also, the effect these wars have had on America’s objectives of improving living standards, human rights and democratization will be evaluated. Similarities between the war on terror and the cold war abound. May (2003) in Echoes Of The Cold War argued that just like the fight against communism, the war on terrorism broadly defines the main enemy as a global conspiracy with operatives entering or infiltrating America. During the cold war and the current war on terrorism, the United States of America is fighting nations in addition to ideas. The USA was fighting communism during the cold war. As such, it firmly believed that since it was free, America had the responsibility to make sure other nations also became free. Thus, they had to embrace consumerism and capitalism. In its bid to stop the spread of communism and Soviet influence, America undertook military interventions in both Korea and Vietnam. On the war against terrorism, America is fighting the concept of terrorism. Terrorism is an ideological element that is easily spread just like communism. There was an iron curtain during the cold war that clearly separated the communist nations from Europe. Similarly, there is a thin, but visible line set by the United States of America that defines terrorist countries or countries supporting terrorism. As such, everybody today can comfortably name terrorist countries just like it was easy to name communist nations during the cold war. Both wars inspired fear into the general American population. During the cold war, the mention of communism brought trepidation and fear into most Americans. Today, the mention of a terrorist or terrorism inspires a similar reaction of fear from American citizens. McCarthyism rose during the cold war to tackle communism. People were often accused under this idea without substantial evidence. Subsequently, they would be tried and oftentimes end up in jail. Today, the patriot act allows the USA government to imprison people even without trial for being terrorist suspects (McCarthy 2002). Lastly, during both wars, the United States congress granted the American president full powers to declare war on any country engaging in communist or terrorist activities. The bush strategy was formulated to combat terrorist and terrorism worldwide in addition to holding into account countries that are primarily compromised by terrorists, especially those nations that harbor them. The bush doctrine groups all great powers (nations) together against a common enemy-terrorism. Just like the NSC-68 during the Truman administration which had a long-term objective of bringing justice and order into the world, the bush strategy is aimed at making the worked a better and safer place. On the other hand, stark differences exist between the cold war and the war on terror. On the home front, both wars are dissimilar. There was a correlation between the fight against communism and the purchase of consumer goods. On the contrary, the war on terror required American citizens to give up some of their civil rights so as to ensure their safety. Moreover, negotiation was viewed as an essential element during the cold war. The NSC-68 implied that free nations should always be willing to offer fair and sound terms while engaging in negotiations. Conversely, the fight against terrorism embraces a no negotiation policy. Therefore, the United States of America does not make any concessions to demands advanced by terrorists. The war on terror has often undermined the United States’ goals of improving democratization, human rights and living standards globally. The United States and its allies in the war against terror have curtailed civil liberties in most countries. For instance, the war against terror embraces the detention without trial concept. Suspects are detained in prisons without trial for long periods of time, for example, in prisons such as the Belmarsh prison. Additionally, extraordinary renditions infringe on people’s human rights. A 2006 Amnesty internal report in relation to Afghanistan revealed that thousands of people in Afghanistan have been tortured or detained incommunicado by American forces. As a consequence, American efforts to improve living standards and democratization have been hindered by the war on terror. 2. American exceptionalism can be defined as a belief that America is exceptional or unique in its historical development when compared to other global nations. American exceptionalism and universalism empowers the United States to adopt an activist role in promoting freedom around the world. America’s foreign policy after the end of WW II failed to achieve its primary objectives. Consequently, these policies tend to be counterproductive. Military intervention and solutions replaced negotiations while force trampled diplomacy. Counter insurgency interventions have produced insurgents on most occasions. For example, military intervention in Iraq has been counterproductive. America’s involvement in Iraq has led to the rise of ISIS in Iraq. During the cold war, America formulated its foreign policy based on its anti-communism agenda. However, the USA continued following its foreign policy after the collapse of the Soviet Union and end of communism. After the end of the cold war, the United States initiated a war against terrorism. Johnson (2007) in Nemesis presents political, economic, philosophical and historical evidence that describe the eminent collapse of the United States as a result of its foreign policy. To maintain an American presence abroad, the USA government needs a lot of commitments and resources that will obviously undermine domestic democracy. America’s continuous wars, enormous military funding and military Keynesianism according to Johnson Chalmers will inevitably destroy the United States (2007). The USA intervention in Afghanistan in its war against terrorism has led to the emergence of the Taliban. In No Good Men among the Living, the author demonstrates how the United States threw away the chance to bring peace and end Taliban rule in Afghanistan (2014). Taliban insurgents were ready and willing to surrender to America and denounce their terrorist leanings. Instead, the American government via its no-negotiation stance with terrorists continued to press on with the war. This led to the rise of the Taliban resistance and conflict, which up to today has no end in sight. Throughout parts of Africa and the Arab world, revolutions and uprisings have encouraged the emergence of terrorist groups. Terrorism sympathizers in Iraq, Mali, and Syria are also growing stronger and more popular in these regions. During the cold war, US foreign policy was deemed to be successful. Nevertheless, a comprehensive review exposes a glaring statesmanship inadequacy, a disposition for military intervention and use of one-sided dictatorial methods of diplomacy. After the cold war, America became the only global superpower. As such, it has a responsibility of policing and influencing the world with little or no opposition. President Obama in his 2014 address to the United Nations acknowledged that the United States was acting as the world’s police. He called for other nations to join him in his relentless war against extremist groups and other ‘evil’ Islamic states in the Middle East. President Obama was addressing the united nation’s 193 member nations just days after expanding American air campaigns against ISIS to encompass Syria. To eradicate ISIL in the Middle East, Obama outlined a four prong strategy that will be used. First, the American government will enlist and ask help from the international community to aid in destroying ISIL. Secondly, nations will be enticed to fight the extremist ideology in their home grounds. Third, foreign nations will be convinced to look for alternatives in addition to increasing political freedom at home. Fourth, the American government will address the broader regional threat emanating from Shiite and Sunni sectarian violence. Previously, the United States has tried to reduce its influence and role in the world. However, this has often been met by increasing global threats which necessitated the re engagement of the United States. The withdrawal of us influence and forces from some situations have led other parties to jump in and take advantage of America’s withdrawal. For instance, an American withdrawal from Somalia in 1993 was not only costly but it also allowed Islamic extremism to flourish in the region. By being the world police, the United States of America will continue to have endless wars. This can also be attributed to the increase of Islamic extremism in areas where America has allowed military intervention. Works Cited Gopal, Anand. No Good Men Among the Living: America, the Taliban, and the War Through Afghan Eyes. Metropolitan Books, 2014. Johnson, Chalmers. Nemesis: The last days of the American republic. Macmillan, 2007. May, Elaine Tyler. "Echoes of the Cold War: The Aftermath of September 11 at Home." September 11 (2003): 35-54. McCarthy, Michael T. "USA Patriot Act." (2002): 435. Read More