I've started reading Thomas Friedman's Longitudes and Attitudes, which is a collection of his columns surrounding September 11th, 2001. He talks extensively about the attitudes in the middle east, and how America is viewed there -- and also provides insight about how we can work in the world today. He said some things that I think we should have listened to:

To not retaliate ferociously for this attack on our people is only to invite a worse attack tomorrow and an endless war with terrorists. But to retaliate in a way that doesn't distinguish between those who pray to a God of Hate and those who pray to the same God we do is to invite an endless war between civilizations. (p. 51)
I'm afraid that many of our actions haven't made this distinction clear enough. Yes, war is messy, but we should have made more effort in making our actions clear, and precise.

We also need to look towards the future, and non-military solutions.

At the same time, U.S. strategy can't just be about punishing the bad guys. It also has to be about helping the good guys. Jordan is a country with a decent government and an economy that...grew 3.9 percent last year...We have a fundamental interest in this model succeeding, for all its neighbors to see. Terrorists thrive in failing, stagnant, weak states with illegitimate regimes -- not countries on the rise. (p. 53)
And, this is the reason that I'm excited about President Bush talking about supporting democracy. Now, I haven't seen much action, but the idea of our foreign policy being about supporting freedom instead of limited, short term, economic interests excites me. Hopefully it isn't only lip service.

Lastly, this is also why I'm optimistic about Wolfowitz being put in charge of the World Bank. Wolfowitz is a man with a one track mind. Before, the only tools that he had to drive his ideas forward were cruise missiles. In the future, the only tools he'll have are loans and grants. Directed, results based financial initiatives to support governments encouraging freedom and democracy is exciting. Also, hopefully, placing someone with significant political weight in a position of international prominence will encourage the U.S. to support institutions like the World Bank.

Hmm, I guess they're going to take away my liberal membership card now.


posted Apr 5, 2005 | permanent link