In various Phronesis
posts I have been highly critical of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East,
and particularly of our disastrous war on terrorism, which has not only failed
to stem terrorism, but, as I argued, has contributed to its growth, reach and
boldness. I have been especially
critical of the Washington foreign policy elite who have proven themselves time
and time again to be plagued by ignorance, fanciful thinking and tunnel vision when
it comes to the Middle East. The deference
of the American public to the pronouncements and confident assurances of the
foreign policy establishment, despite their long history of being wrong,
boggles the mind. Chalk up the American
people as being complicit in our failed policies.
As a number of readers have pointed out, I've been mute on what I think should be done to resolve the complex Islamic extremist mess we now face. I have not offered a
comprehensive strategy because I don’t feel I have sufficient knowledge of the
dynamic forces at play in the region to provide an informed recommendation. The conflicts in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan,
Yemen, Libya and throughout the wider Middle East are extremely complex,
featuring numerous participants with conflicting political and military agendas and strategies. Even so-called friends
aren’t on the same page. The
complexities defy the simplistic solutions offered by pandering politicians who
rely on uninformed and gullible Americans to buy into add-water-and-stir
solutions. These complexities,
along with the fact that ISIS and other extremists already have an extensive presence
in several countries outside of the Middle East, means that Islamist terrorism is an ongoing problem that can, at best, be managed, not “defeated.”
Further reading about the various challenges posed
by jihadi extremists has helped me get a better fix on the complexities of the
various conflicts. I realize now that my previous posts left a lot out, particularly in regard to President Obama and his senior foreign policy team's responsibility for ISIS’ (or ISIL's) growth and success and the mushrooming jihadist danger. While it’s
undeniable that President George Bush’s ill-conceived invasion of Iraq and his
administration’s blundering policies in its aftermath paved the way for the
emergence of ISIS, the terrorist group would not have reached its present
heights without Obama's delusional policies. As failed as his policies have been toward Syria and Iraq, he appears inescapably wedded to them.
