United States Military Foreign Policy - Assignment Example

 After the attacks of September 11, 2001, the shape and scope of American foreign policy changed forever. The United States government came to the conclusion that in order to obtain domestic security, intervention across the globe was absolutely necessary to fight the war on terror. The U.S. armed forces prepared for war by not only increasing the military budget, but they also put forth principles and values fundamental to the American dream to garner support for any conflict deemed a necessity. The federal government firmly believed that the U.S. military should sustain a significant presence in the Middle East for several years, while they completed scattered military bases to maintain their presence and control their interests in the region, including energy and monetary needs. These bases allowed the United States Air Force to refuel and gather supplies in every region of the world, ensuring the military’s influence globally. Aside from militaristic efforts, the federal government also sought to increase its own power and ability to utilize all of their resources in order to win the war on terror. The President’s power was Constitutionally expanded in a time of war, so 9/11 permitted the government to implement these wartime powers, including the increase of domestic and international surveillance (known by the Bush administration as the “dark side”) and the “secret document” signed by President George W. Bush (unbeknownst to many in the administration) instituting military tribunals to hold and try known terrorists, as opposed to civilian courts guaranteed by the Constitution. The events of 9/11 enabled the federal government and U.S. military to expand their interests and presence in regions which previously seemed impossible. In order to convince the recently-patriotic American people that U.S. military intervention was necessary, they focused on the oppressive governments of the nation’s enemies. They put forth the ideals and values evident in the American Constitution articulated over two hundred years ago, in which every nation must hold democratic elections and a certain set of basic rights should be guaranteed to all citizens despite of race, creed or economic standing. The fascist regime of Saddam Hussein fit perfectly into the mold of murdering oppressors who must be ousted from power to help people incapable of helping themselves. But, the policy of intervening where necessary was lost upon the discoveries of a genocide occurring in the Sudan, in a region known as Darfur. The ethnic cleansing began in 2003, and was repeatedly neglected by the world, even after the United Nations stated that after the disaster in Rwanda, that these mass killing would occur “never again”. In 2004, Secretary of State Colin Powell spoke before the UN and expressed concern over the growing problem in Darfur. However, because of the United States’ rush for a decisive invasion into Iraq, the rest of the members of the UN’s Security Council hesitated for several years before finally involving 26,000 UN troops to alleviate the ravages of the conflict. The military budget for the United States swelled into the billions, more than the quantitative amount of the rest of the world. The United States military is strained across countries with millions of civilians and a significant land mass. In Afghanistan, only 33,000 ground troops have been deployed in order to seek and destroy members of Al Qaeda and the Taliban. But immediately following 9/11, with only the CIA and a few thousand Special Forces leading the effort in Afghanistan, the U.S. military waited over one month before installing any other military presence. The effort in Afghanistan quickly became known as an “economy of wars operation”, as they were forced to fight with what they had. But, the mountainous warfare necessary for any advantage along the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan required the military to devise new technologies to fight the war, including un-manned “predators” which can accurately air strike targets which soldiers on foot would have difficulty attacking. This endless strain was a direct result of the flood of money dispersed to the primary focus of the region. Also, before the launching of Operation Iraqi Freedom, major military leaders requested 400,000 U.S. and coalition troops on the ground. But Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Vice President Dick Cheney believed that a mere 70,000 troops were necessary to secure the nation, so the two sides compromised with a total of 140,000 troops. Also, the United States sought a “coalition of the willing” to offer support in the form of manpower, but each willing nation only provided a small percentage of the military presence needed to preserve stability. And as the war progressed into the rise of the insurgency and American surge which followed, there remained a depleted supply of soldiers necessary for security to be instilled and maintained. As an indirect result, America was limited in its ability to intervene in Darfur (including the failure of intelligence in the buildup to Iraq and credibility within the UN). And, the U.S. military has shown repeatedly that they are only willing to risk the lives of soldiers in war, but remain cautious to endanger them in peacekeeping missions to prevent ethnic cleansing, including the episodes in Bosnia and Rwanda in the 1990’s. These documentaries help to shed light upon these brutal wars taking place thousands of miles from the comfort of home. However, they fail to fully explore the economic ramifications domestically for these operations, which remain to this day the ultimate splurge of the federal government’s deficit, only referring to the troops on the ground as the outstretched aspect of the military effort, and ignoring the issues of depleting supplies of body armor and protection from suicide bombers. Most importantly, the documentaries lack the ultimate reasoning for invading and dismantling the nation of Iraq, but instead focused upon the conclusion spread to the public during the first outbreak of the war, the weapons of mass destruction. The global involvement of the United States military since 9/11 has exposed its inability to learn from its mistakes. As they avoided risking American lives with involvement in the ethnic cleansings of Bosnia and Rwanda, Darfur was left on its own for nearly four years, resulting in the deaths of thousands. And as the colonial British and the U.S.S.R. discovered in the mountains in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the United States is learning that peace and stability in the region is far from feasibly possible. Bush’s War “a war about a war” in Iraq, the reason for military intervention was 9/11 (defense, security) Rumsfeld brings Saddam into it Competition between CIA and Pentagon to handle operations Intervention in Iraq pushed forward by Wolfowitz, Cheney and Rumsfeld The “dark side” – excuse to push for more intelligence and more power for president – Patriot Act, wiretapping Then used 9/11 as excuse for president to declare an act of war – which constitutionally gives president more power Rumsfeld brought into cabinet to combat Powell Pentagon waited a month to send military to Afghanistan after CIA went in (Rumsfeld demanded he control CIA ops) CIA thought they were reason for success in Afghanistan Only special forces still on ground searching for Bin Laden Bin Laden believed to have escaped to Pakistan “secret” document signed quickly by Bush (written by Cheney) shaping policy – military tribunal for the known terrorists bring terrorists to Egypt and torture them Iraq brought back into picture – “weapons of mass destruction” Link Al Qaeda to Iraq – but no documented connection But Cheney disagreed and pushed the Iraq issue – clashing with CIA intel again Tortured terrorist gives intel that Iraq sold weapons to Al Qaeda Mohammed Atta, the “twentieth hijacker”, met Iraqi Intelligence Official in Prague five months before attack (but no proof) “trying to connect the dots which were unconnectable” troops pulled away from Afghanistan to Iraq government tried to not get Geneva Conventions involved in war (“does not apply”) “new kind of war” – excuse for ignoring Geneva detainees brought to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba Rumsfeld kept all information to himself The plan to rebuild Iraq immediately after completion of invasion Wanted Iraq to change landscape of Middle East, including establishing military bases, and along with Israel, have greater control over region In Iraq, military intervention was “necessary” Powell wanted support from UN to help repair Iraq Cheney said that no UN inspectors were necessary Bush sought Blair’s support if inspections failed, Blair agreed “torture memo” gives president power to define interrogation/torture CIA pressured to find connection U.S. used media to push support for war (NY Times, TV) with Nigerian aluminum tubes and yellowcake uranium Powell used diplomatic abilities to try and swing UN French made him look foolish – diplomatic effort in shambles Blair also suffered – had to join “coalition of the willing” Falsified or fabricated intel to lead to military involvement Tried to base it on “truth”, but ended up lying because based claims on coerced intel Stealth bombers used in opening moments of war Original purpose of war to give Iraqi’s “freedom” Then after fall of government, no authority to control (looters) Tried to withdraw troops and get peace – keeping troops from coalition nations “Mission Accomplished” no WMD found at beginning of war, major military leaders wanted 400,000 troops, Rumsfeld and Cheney wanted 70,000, so compromised with 140,000 (not enough, potential to strain) denial over insurgency June 2004 – drafted Iraqi constitution – the belief that freedom/democracy/constitution should be afforded to all people Battle of Fallujah, then election in Iraq – Sunni boycott Differences continue between Powell and Rumsfeld/Cheney over foreign policy Not conventional warfare – car bombers Rice’s “clear, hold, build” strategy for victory (clashes with Rumsfeld “light footprint”) Sunni insurgents try to create civil war by attacking Shiite mosques One-sided insurgency becomes two-sided civil war when Shiites retaliate 2006 – troop reductions as Iraqi government takes larger role, then violence rises once again (troops forced to stay as violence spikes) began adding troops to work with Iraqi officials in Baghdad not enough American troops to secure Iraq – strained surge The War Briefing U.S. lacks critical force on ground to control region Without ground forces, rely on artillery and air strikes Continue for several hours at a time (and do it daily) Afghanistan – “the forgotten war” U.S. policy to fight for 5-10 years will fail – like U.S.S.R. 33,000 troops in Afghanistan (larger population/land area than Iraq) “economy of wars operation” – fighting with what they have because of strain, Taliban never fully dismantled in 2001 Taliban controls all of narcotics in Afghanistan – significant funds Afghanistan is a weak state after forty years of war The economy directly results in imprecise air strikes – increase in civilian deaths forces population to fight with insurgency Resources (and troops) needed to stabilize ground, get people to support U.S. In Afghanistan/Pakistan border (tribal) region could never be controlled Pakistan supports Taliban over fear of U.S. support for India Peace deals between Pakistani army and Taliban don’t last Un-manned “predator” aircraft – modern technology necessary to control region Pakistan – fragile region with nuclear weapons Destroy own equipment (hum-vee in ditch) to avoid it getting into enemy hands On Our Watch failure of UN to prevent Darfur genocide – “never again” U.S. policy of prevention did not apply to Darfur – first heard of it in 2003 Civil war in Sudan only made news in U.S. because non-Christians were killing Christians China’s source of oil is Sudan – Darfur very poor – resentment Initial denial from western powers – delayed peace agreement for year Darfur – greatest UN failure since Rwanda In 20th century, U.S. leaders did not want to take risks after Bosnia to prevent genocide (having peace-keeping troops killed) Willing to risk soldiers for war, just not peacekeeping to prevent genocide China refused to get involved because of oil interests U.S. pushed for intervention in 2004, but because of failures in Iraq with Security Council, no one will support them China continually blocks intervention by threatening veto Then crisis moves over the border to Chad (2006) U.S. slow action result of jeopardizing relationship with China “Genocide Olympics” campaign – forced China to respond 2007 – 26,000 UN troops sent to keep the peace failure of U.S. to learn from mistakes – Darfur (Rwanda) and Afghanistan (U.S.S.R.) Read More