Ten Years After 911: Part Two
What actions can the US take to make sure 911 never happens again? The first part of this series reminded readers of the actions of the US that encourage the creation of enemies like Osama bin Laden. There will always be people who hate countries that are stronger than them, so we can never hope to have everyone like us. The challenge is how to reduce that number so that the extremists do not have the fuel that ignites those fires in the hearts of enough followers that they can make good on their threats.
The most important change the US could make to deny fuel to the fire of terrorism is to change the US-Israel relationship. America has tremendous pull with Israel (though probably not as much as we used to). The US gives more aid to Israel than to any other country. There should be more accountability gained through this aid. The US must hold Israel to the same international standards of rule of law as any other country. Israel does have the right to exist, but it doesn’t have the right to bully and oppress. An example of this is the settlement issue. Israel continues to flaunt UN resolutions as it expands on land whose status has not been established. American commitment to justice would go a long way on the Arab (and the world for that matter) street if Israel faced real consequences for illegal acts.
There are many other issues too. Three others would be the blockade on Gaza, the use of state-sponsored assassinations and daily humiliation of checkpoints on the West Bank. Until the world sees the US using its influence in ways that push the Israeli government toward responsible citizenship in its region, America will be an easy target for those seeking justice and co-existence between Arabs and Israel.
In the broader search for a peace settlement between Palestinians and Israelis, the US must be seen as an honest broker. Currently there are no “peace talks”. Resumption of negotiations must be a higher priority. The perceived lack of commitment to the Palestinians is in large part what led to the rise of Hamas on the Palestinian political scene.
A similar dynamic of responsibility can apply to US relations with corrupt and brutal Arab regimes as well. American support of dictators like Mubarak and Qaddafi (in recent years) has become a huge liability as these regimes began to crumble in 2011. A consistent ethic of human rights and democratic principles will benefit all peoples of the region.
The US military footprint in the region must be reduced. Military bases in the region encourage corruption in host countries and create an impression of imperialism loathe to any proud people.
US foreign aid policy in the region and globally must be radically changed. The US gives less than 0.2% of its GDP in foreign aid. The US and the West in general have reneged on promises to increase aid to 0.7% of GDP. Instead of cutting foreign aid, the US must increase it greatly. And instead of much of the aid being weaponry, the US must encourage health, education, economic development, alternative energy and civil society in the region. The oil of the Middle East will not last forever, and they like us need to transition to cleaner energy. The end of the West’s obsession with oil will reduce tensions in the region. Let’s get moving!
Finally, an attitude of respect and equality toward the great civilizations of the greater Middle East must be cultivated. Instead of sending threats to Iran, let’s send and accept students. Instead of assassinating persons we don’t like, let’s use diplomatic procedures to address such problems. Instead of garrisoning 100,000 troops in Afghanistan to keep the Taliban at bay (they were defeated in 2001, remember?), let’s build schools through civilian organizations.
911 was a terrible day. But it was not a unique event. On September 11, 1973, planes appeared over the skies of Santiago, Chile as a coup toppled the democratically elected government. The US was behind those planes, setting up a regime that killed over 3000 people. May that never happen again. America has the potential to be a tremendous force for good in the world. If we don’t act in accord with our great principles, there will be other such infamous dates.
