War and Peace in the Middle East - Essay Example

War and peace in the Middle East – Iraq war Introduction The 2003 gulf war between the Saddam led Iraq and Bush led America though ended with the expulsion of Saddam from power, it has raised so many questions rather than answers to the Middle Eastern people. The Iraq war has started in March, 2003, over the alleged possession of weapons of mass destruction by Iraq. Though the inspectors of United Nations searched every corner of Iraq, they failed to locate any serious weapons of mass destruction. Now Saddam has been executed and Bush step down from the power. Though Obama has taken charge, American troops are still operating in Iraq. America has posted a toy government in Iraq and they are still not self sufficient to rule their country as per American politician’s views. “To date, $830.2 billion dollars have been allocated to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition, $77.1 billion dollars have been requested in the recent supplemental that further fund these wars, for a total of $907.3 billion dollars. The national, state, and local numbers we provide are based on the total of the approved and pending amounts through the end of Fiscal Year 2009.” (Cost of War) Iraq war The military objectives of the invasion were; end the Saddam regime; remove weapons of mass destruction; remove or expel Islamic terrorists; collect intelligence on terrorist networks; distribute humanitarian aid; save Iraq’s oil infrastructure; and assist in creating a representative government as a model for other Middle East nations. Now the first two objectives are out of question since Saddam has expelled and no weapons of mass destruction have been located. The last reason of posting a representative government in Iraq also successfully implemented. Now America is citing other reasons like eliminating the terrorist groups from Iraq for their extended stay in Iraq. But even a layman knows it well that America’s intensions in Iraq are different from that declared. As the resources in America diminishing they wanted to exploit the resources of the poor countries. This is evident in both Iraq and Afghan wars. The oil resources and the pure water sources were attracted them towards Iraq rather than the said reasons. America has already got a report from their secret agencies that other countries such as China and India will emerge as the super powers by 2025. In order to sustain their place as the world police, they wanted to exploit others. On April 9, 2003, Baghdad fell, ending Saddams 24-year rule. U.S. forces seized Saddam and his colleagues, the Baath Party ministries. Now everything is clear to the world. Saddam is no more and still there is no peace in Iraq. The deadline of the approval given by Security Council to the American troops to stay back in Iraq will be ended on December 31, 2008. America and the toy government in Iraq are trying to extend the deadline for 3 more years for mutual benefits. America wanted to exploit the wealth of Iraq and the toy government need the security of American troops. Now when we analyze the above war, we can see that the reasons cited were not convincing and the declared objectives of the war not achieved. It is not a secret that America always wants to spread their wings wherever possible. America has again proved that they cannot refrain from their culture of colonialism by interfering in the recent matters related to Afghanistan and Iran. After the September 11 th terrorist attack on World Trade Centre, America got one more shot in their armory to attack other sovereign states. History is repeating in the case of Iraq war also like what happened in the Philippines war. America has declared their intervention in Philippines is for their mission to save the Filipinos from the Spanish colonial rule. But at the end of the war they ruled Philippines for another two decades by appointing a toy government just like what happened in Iraq. Though majority of the Iraqis were Muslims, there were lot of ideologies among them. In Philippines, most of the peoples were Christians and Muslims. So America has successfully adopted the policy of divide and rule in both the countries. They acted as the saviors for some communities to gain public support in both the countries. (Kurds in Iraq and Christians in Philippines) “The U.S.s primary interests in the Persian Gulf are driven by the need for oil. It is not difficult to see that the U.S. has always had one overriding goal: prevent any hostile power from assuming regional pre-eminence that could threaten both American interests and, by extension, Western interests with its choke-hold on the oil supply.” (Shlaim) It is a well known fact that America is one country where most of the people use automobiles and the internal oil supply is not enough for the American requirements. Moreover most of the Arab countries which have immense oil resources don’t like American foreign policies since they consider it as anti Muslim because of America’s bias towards Israel. So America needs a military base in Middle East to exploit the rich oil resources of the Gulf region and for that purpose they have made use of Saddam and his intervention in Kuwait. “We are first told that military intervention in the Middle East is necessary to ensure that the Emir of Kuwait (and his family) is restored to power and that the King of Saudi Arabia (and his family) is retained in power. In other words, we are told that American servicemen must die to preserve royal families of the Middle East.” (Hornberger) Both Emir of Kuwait and King of Saudi Arabia have no respect towards human rights and freedom of selecting the religion or expression by the public. Both don’t have any belief at all in democratic values or approaches. Both of them were ruling their countries using force and iron fist. Still America wants to safeguard them? It is hard to believe such a stand from the American political regime. Everybody knows that America has some hidden agenda behind their interest towards the Saudi King and the Kuwait Emir. “Another reason given for the necessity of American deaths in the Middle East is that it is necessary to make the world safe. This is absolutely unbelievable! Not even to make the world safe for democracy like in World War I. “This time, just to make the world safe!” (Hornberger) It is a fact that terrorism has increased a lot even after the expulsion and execution of Saddam from the power. Even in Iraq itself the American troops facing stiff challenges from the Muslim radical groups in Iraq. The continued operations in Afghan border and Iraq have not resulted in any kind of reduction in terrorist activities. In fact the recent terrorist attack on Indian business hub Mumbai by the Pak occupied terrorist groups has clearly indicate that terrorism goes on increasing as America spreading their war on terror from one territory to another. “Much has been said between Saddam Hussein and George Bush about each other being a liar. The regrettable truth is that most politicians — foreign and domestic — do not tell the truth. Three decades ago, President Lyndon B. Johnson knowingly and willfully lied to the American people about an attack at the Gulf of Tonkin. And all of us, or least the members of my generation, know the terrible results of that falsehood” (Hornberger) There are political observers who believe that the person behind the last Iraq war was George Bush senior. He has tried earlier to expel Saddam from power and failed. Many observers believe that he has executed his mission through his son George Bush junior. Ordinary public may not know the exact reasons and the persons behind the actual war. As the 21st century approaches, population pressures, irrigation demands, and growing resource needs throughout the world are increasing the competition for freshwater. Middle East is blessed with relatively extensive water resources, such as the Nile, Tigris, etc. (Peter H. et al) Another reason many people believe for American attack on Iraq is for exploiting the water resources of Middle East. It is believed that America may suffer severe drinking water shortage in the near future itself. Most of the America’s underwater resources were exploited by their corporate giants like Coke and Pepsi and in order to sustain their business interest they need more water resources. Another interesting aspect of American intrusion is the strange laws of the civilian government, treating Iraqi people and American troops differently. The crime committed by the American troops outside their barrack cannot be questioned in Iraqi courts without America’s permission. From a liberalist’s point of view this is a clear case of intrusion over the sovereignty of a state. The discrimination in rules will encourage the American troops to commit crimes against the people of Iraq. The above rule itself underlines America’s dual nature while considering the civilian issues. The dominant nature of America is visible in the above rule. They treat civilians of their country and other countries indifferently. Every state has a responsibility to respect every other’s Sovereignty. If a problem prevailing in a state is beyond their control, and if they seek international assistance to rectify it, it should be done under the patronage of the Security Council. The Security Council should be free from all kinds of biases and prejudices and should act freely. “In his speech at Camp Lejeune, Obama stressed the importance of diplomacy, "comprehensive engagement across the region" and cooperation with Iraqs neighbors and with the United Nations--signaling to the people of Iraq and the Middle East that the United States has no intention of permanently occupying Iraq or determining its future.” (Obamas Iraq Exit) The American people has now put all their expectations on President Obama to resolve the Iraq and Afghan issue and to bring all the American soldiers back in their country by putting an end to their actions in Iraq and Afghanistan. Many of the American soldiers are sacrificing their lives in these wars. America needs to assist these countries in solving their problems internally by themselves rather than interfering into their internal matters. Conclusions Middle East is a region where the super powers are always interested in because of their immense wealth. Most of the Middle Eastern regions are blessed with immense oil and water resources which always keep the super powers interested in. The gulf war between America and Iraq has failed to achieve any of the main declared objectives. Though Saddam has been removed from power and executed, still there is no peace either in Iraq or in other surrounding regions. Works Cited 1. Shlaim Avi, War and Peace in the Middle East , Retrieved on April 18, 2009 from http://www.gotterdammerung.org/books/reviews/w/war-and-peace-in-the-middle-east.html 2. Hornberger Jacob G. 1990, War for Peace in the Middle East, Retrieved on April 18, 2009 from http://www.fff.org/freedom/0490u.asp 3. Peter H.; Yolles, Peter; Hatami, Haleh, 1994 Water, War and Peace in the Middle East Retrieved on April 18, 2009 from http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-15419877.html 4. Obamas Iraq Exit, 2009, Retrieved on April 18, 2009 from http://www.thenation.com/doc/20090323/editors 5. Cost of War, Retrieved on April 18, 2009 from http://www.nationalpriorities.org/costofwar_home Read More