IF THE United States is to make war on the Taliban regime of Afghanistan, it should only be with strong multi-national support. By ignoring the warnings of our international allies - Muslim and non-Muslim alike - to proceed with caution in this effort, the United States risks alienating itself further from the international community and will continue to be seen as the world's policemen. What must be realized is that this is one of the principal reasons we were attacked.
Osama bin Laden, the prime suspect in the attacks on New York and Washington, has a burning hatred for Americans and their way of life. This hatred stems from the Saudi Arabian government's 1990 decision to permit the United States to use Saudi air bases as a staging ground for attacks on Iraqi forces inside Kuwait during the Gulf War. Bin Laden saw this occupation of Saudi territory as a desecration of sacred land by an economically powerful and materialistic monster. So began his campaign to eliminate America - first with a 1996 proclamation to seek and destroy American military forces, and a second edict in 1998 extending this mission to include American civilians.
This idea of the American beast extends further. Our involvement in Rwanda, Somalia, Kosovo and Iraq in the past 15 years further develops the global image of America as a pushy policeman, getting involved in military issues it shouldn't pursue.
The United States finds itself poised to play world cop again, this time against one of the most powerful and dangerous men in the world. Now we must tread cautiously. If we do not, we risk beginning a new war with a new generation of Muslims who are raised to hate the United States
If the United States maintains strong ties to its allies in this fight, particularly in seeking and following their counsel, the nation will find peace more quickly and easily than if it acts alone. The United States will benefit from many more years of global diplomatic experience and thus find itself in an easier position to deal with Muslim populations both at home and abroad. The United States's Muslim allies such as Saudi Arabia and Turkey culturally are better poised to explain American actions to the rest of the Muslim world, far more so than other non-Muslim western nations.
|
If it follows this path, the United States will be considered more of a world citizen, acting as another player on a team, rather than a head coach. The stakes simply are too high diplomatically, politically and historically for the United States to go after the Taliban alone.
Support for the United States to go after the terrorist-supporting Taliban regime, as well as terrorist cells worldwide, is extraordinary. Groups from over a dozen nations - from the Northern Alliance faction of Afghanistan, to the government of Yemen - have pledged their support or sympathy for the United States Nations the United States generally considers hostile or rogue states, including North Korea, Somalia and Syria, also have expressed varying degrees of sympathy and some have offered to join in the fight against terrorism. Some states, such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, have cut diplomatic ties to the Taliban regime in the past week. The support of other Muslim states, such as Turkey, is vital in building unity in this effort between Muslim and non-Muslim states.
There clearly is a unified effort to battle terrorism in the world now. We must pay attention to these allies and weigh their procedural advice. In offering support, those countries must have a say in how operations will proceed. This cannot be the United States acting alone to combat a threat, as in the past - this must be a global effort. If not, the United States will be pushing its allies away and they likely will halt their flow of aid to this war on terrorism.
Many nations are hesitating to back the United States, for a variety of reasons. France has offered the United States limited support provided it is involved in all stages of planning this battle on terrorism.
Many states have agreed to help only if the United Nations sponsors the effort, not the United States The American government must examine these hesitations carefully. They are indications of cautious thinking, and an evaluation of how history will judge the world's actions today. We are the strongest and most powerful nation in the world, but it must consider our allies' judgment, even at the risk of relinquishing our traditional role as a world leader in combat situations. America can no longer be the protagonist in this global drama. It must now play a smaller role on stage, alongside the rest of the world's players.
If nations such as France or Turkey are hesitant to aid our efforts today, and America ignores their advice, we should not count on having their support next time tragedy strikes.
It's in America's best interests to hesitate now as well. Only with careful and precise planning will this international effort at combating terrorism be successful. If we charge ahead with this war too quickly or rashly, it will likely be the last time we see such positive and widespread support for our efforts.
(Austen Givens is a Cavalier Daily viewpoint writer.)
Read More
EDITORIAL: Carla Williams deserves her seat at the table
By Editorial Board | 13 hours agoLooking beyond basketball and football reveals that Virginia Athletics is, in many ways, thriving.
UPADHYAYA: The Great and not-so-Good sides of U.Va.’s 2030 housing plan
By Apal Upadhyaya | 2 days agoInstead of improving the dire state of existing infrastructure, however, the University has shifted attention away from it and chosen to expand.
EDITORIAL: Support low-barrier shelters in Charlottesville
By Editorial Board | 3 days agoInvesting in low-barrier shelters now will pay off in increased stability for the homeless, which will undoubtedly improve the safety of shelters and the community writ large.
