$20 Billion Worth Of Stupid From The Bush Administration
Just when you think the bar can't be set any higher for foreign policy incompetence, the Bush administration manages to pull a miracle out of it's bag of tricks.
In a four day tour of the Middle East, perhaps the most volatile region on the planet, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced $20 billion dollar military aid package for Israel, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Said Rice, "We are helping to strengthen the defensive capabilities of our partners and we plan to initiate discussions with Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf states on a proposed package of military technologies that will help support their ability to secure peace and stability in the Gulf region." The theory is that by arming countries that are more closely aligned with the U.S., Iran will be kept in check.
The problem is that it fails to take into account that Iran isn't the only country in the region not exactly lining up to wave the stars and stripes and sing a hearty chorus of "God Bless America."
The number of reasons not to weaponize the region are staggering. For example:
• Many of the countries set to receive aid stand in opposition to long term U.S. ally, Israel.
• Islam is a major influence in the region, and past language by the President, such as "crusade," has stirred distrust in the Muslim community.
• The failure of the U.S. to stabilize Iraq has angered many in the Muslim community.
• Many of the countries have porous borders and men who are eager to fight in Iraq.
• Many of the countries have abominable human rights records.
So in summary, the President would like to spread weapons throughout a region: where a good deal of the populace bears animosity towards the United States; where many of the governments would be happy to see Israel gone; and where human rights are not exactly a high value.
While he's at it, perhaps he'd like to stand on the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and distribute lit fireworks to small children.
There's just one word for this proposal: Stupid.
Congress can stop it and you can tell them that you want them to do so.
In a four day tour of the Middle East, perhaps the most volatile region on the planet, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced $20 billion dollar military aid package for Israel, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Said Rice, "We are helping to strengthen the defensive capabilities of our partners and we plan to initiate discussions with Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf states on a proposed package of military technologies that will help support their ability to secure peace and stability in the Gulf region." The theory is that by arming countries that are more closely aligned with the U.S., Iran will be kept in check.
The problem is that it fails to take into account that Iran isn't the only country in the region not exactly lining up to wave the stars and stripes and sing a hearty chorus of "God Bless America."
The number of reasons not to weaponize the region are staggering. For example:
• Many of the countries set to receive aid stand in opposition to long term U.S. ally, Israel.
• Islam is a major influence in the region, and past language by the President, such as "crusade," has stirred distrust in the Muslim community.
• The failure of the U.S. to stabilize Iraq has angered many in the Muslim community.
• Many of the countries have porous borders and men who are eager to fight in Iraq.
• Many of the countries have abominable human rights records.
So in summary, the President would like to spread weapons throughout a region: where a good deal of the populace bears animosity towards the United States; where many of the governments would be happy to see Israel gone; and where human rights are not exactly a high value.
While he's at it, perhaps he'd like to stand on the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and distribute lit fireworks to small children.
There's just one word for this proposal: Stupid.
Congress can stop it and you can tell them that you want them to do so.
posted by John Fracchia at 10:10 PM
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