USA's image of intrusive power-wielder

What obviously she intends conveying is that the so called champion of democracy – USA – flouts its norms, typical of Empire builders’ propensity to dominate the world. This attitudinal predisposition, shall never build a “peaceful” world. What she explicitly deemed necessary was that the world needed a “multi-polar vision than which we have become accustomed.” A change is the imperative. This is what Barak Obama very eloquently expressed in his presidential campaign, which was a major determinant of his victory, as it bore symbiotic relationship with the hopes and expectations of the people who catapulted him to the most prestigious position of presidentship of USA. Will he or will he not fulfill the ‘promise’, is the question. If the unipolarity hang over persists, the world shall look grim rather grimmer. If cooperative global paradigm prevails, a civilized and decent order is likely to usher in. The global fate hangs in balance. President Obama paid rich tributes to the people of East Germany who stood up against the oppressive regimes, on the occasion of the Berlin Wall demolition ceremony. But the reality is that USSR’s ouster from the global power made no difference. USA became as ‘oppressive’ in the post cold war, unipolar world which it inherited as was its rival, perhaps greater in magnitude.

 

The criticism against USA was not only made by the German Chancellor but the Russian President- Dmitry Medvedeve – very bitterly remarked that the “end of the cold war did not justify any nation’s global dominance.” Moreover he further commented: “The transition to a new multipolar world is today very important for most countries, for all the countries in Europe and the World.” One only wished if the then Soviet Union had acted on this lofty principle, before invading Afghanistan. But nevertheless, better late than never. Russia is a NATO ally of USA, but condemns it for not fulfilling the assurances given to them “at the time, the Berlin wall fell, that NATO would not expand eastward, as it since has.” The Warsaw Pact disappearance would create a different political space for Russia. On the contrary, the Russian President lamented: “NATO is still a bloc whose rockets are targeting the Russian territory.”  

 

Another ally, the French President Nicholas Sarkovy, expressed his sentiments of dismay that “the global community still needed to live up to the promise of that euphoric night” (the might the Berlin Wall came down crashing). He very rightly said: “The fall of the Berlin Wall is an appeal to all to vanquish oppression, to knock down the walls that throughout the world still divide towns, territories, peoples.” But intoxicated with enormous military power, USA embarked upon lust-oriented policy to take control over the rich reservoirs of oil in Iraq and via Afghanistan to Central Asian Republics, where energy reservoirs in the Caspian Sea region are still untapped. Brutal aggression against Iraq and Afghanistan is expressive of how dehumanized and ruthless a so called civilized power could be in the pursuit of colonial greed to grab the wealth of the hapless countries.  

 

But ironically the misadventure cost very dearly to USA. Its booming economy presents a frightening recession, within USA and its fall-out on a vast chunk of humanity. What is still worse that the Super Power had to lie in order to conceal its real motive and undertake a massive man-slaughter enterprise. Ultimately the divine intervention gave incredible power to the ‘powerless’. The powerful termed it “terrorism.” Trotsky had rightly observed “Terrorism is not a cause, it is a weapon.” Modern terrorist groups as per Victor Sebastyan, are threat to many lives and will continue to be so. But to our way of life? Only if we choose to make it so.”

 

Another violent expression of disgust was made the same day by General Tariq Majeed, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, who ridiculed the exhaustive report by a well known American journalist Seymore Hersh, on Pakistan’s so called vulnerable nuclear weapons, which could land into the hands of the extremists and terrorist groups. General Majeed very cogently rebutted the “apprehensions” (contrived): “We have operationalised a very effective nuclear security regime which incorporates very stringent custodial and access controls.” He further reiterated in unequivocal term: “there is absolutely no question of sharing or allowing any foreign individual, entity or a state any access to sensitive information about our nuclear assets. Our engagement with other countries through International Atomic Energy Agency or bilaterally is to learn more about best practices for security of such assets and are based on two clearly spelt-out red lines – non-intrusiveness and our right to pick and choose.”

 

Hersh became a very harsh victim of a well reputed defense analyst – Shireen Mazari, who blasted every single notion that the US journalist, a mouthpiece of the Government, had concocted to justify the bizarre idea that Pakistan’s defence of its nuclear assets was problematic in view of the rampant terrorism is a manifestation of “pre-conceived mindset.” She very incisively brought the latent design of USA in Hersh’s article to “steal the triggers” so that nuclear weapons could be rendered ineffective. He is very naïve, the ‘triggers’ if at all stolen, a wishful proposition indeed – could trigger a colossal global calamity. It is a silly reflection, how US journalism often masquerades as awful distortion of realities.

 

The above were deliverances of harangue by the allies of USA – Pakistan being the most allied of the allies – atleast so is the ‘illusion’. The Iranian President Ahmedinejad – a symbol of piety and extraordinary simplicity, very candidly expressed his disdain for capitalism, which he held responsible for the global crisis: “The present economic crisis is due to the capitalist system. The world needs radical change.” This he said on the occasion of one day economic summit of the OIC. More specifically he said, “The world  system based on usury has collapsed proving it failure. We have to draw up programmes based on Islamic Thinkers. That way we can guide the people to happiness, security, justice and honesty.” Capitalism was the thesis, against which Communism reacted as it was exploitative order. This was anti-thesis. Islam is the synthesis as it combines the good of both the ideologies.

 

In nutshell, USA’s military might has been dwarfed by the rag-tag Afghan freedom fighters and its economic model is under great stress. The hegemonic arrogance of USA cannot linger any further. It needs renunciation of the desire to dominate over the world particularly Eurasia, of which Afpak policy is a crude reflection. Engagement with impoverished nations and respect for diversity are the imperatives

 

Dr S M Rahman is Secretary General FRIENDS that’s headed by General Mirza Aslam Beg.