Betting On The New World Order
By Tom Adkins (04/16/03)
Europe is often a paradox. On one hand, you'll see art, history, and architecture. On the other hand, you face those slimy, smooth talking lechers creeping around the hotel pool, trying to pick up your wife. That attitude must be ingrained into European culture, as the Eurostrash who refused to help free Iraq from the iron grip of a vicious dictator are now sniffing around, trying to schmooze their way into the fat political and economic rewards of the rebuilding process. Draping themselves in the gold-chained leisure suit of the United Nations, they burble those tired old lines, "Hey, baby…look-a me! You know you want me, eh?"
In the 90s, giddy and gullible American leadership fell for this European flattery. But now, we have a different American tourist, well-armed and wearing fatigues. It's hard to flirt with a howitzer in your face.
Let's review the last year. When America beaconed our allies to join our fight against the Saddam Hussein threat, Germany, Belgium, France, China and Russia refused the call. Using hollow excuses, all five nations preferred spilling American blood for their political power plays while cynically breaking United Nations sanctions. Supplying weapons and dangerous technology to Saddam Hussein's murderous dictatorship, they had a direct economic stake in seeing Hussein survive. And defended that stake rabidly.
No doubt trying to assess George Bush with a Bill Clinton yardstick, the European traitors bet the wrong way and came up quite short. Fleeing the scene, they sealed their fate, exposing the shallow limits of their political commitment to a wisened America. But Hussein's regime is now destroyed, and the Bush Administration controls the rebuilding of Iraq.
The foolish geopolitical gamblers are already scrambling, trying to use the United Nations to get into Iraq through the back door. French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin pontificated, "The United Nations is the only international organization that can give legitimacy to this." How arrogant! How colonialist! Demanding control over Iraq, when they sacrificed nothing for its freedom…in fact, fought viciously to preserve a hideous tyrant.
Fortunately, Condoleeza Rice flicked Villepin away. "It would only be natural to expect that after having participated in having liberated Iraq with coalition forces and having given life and blood to liberate Iraq that the coalition intends to have a leading role. The exact character of the U.N.'s role is not an issue for discussion right now." No kidding. Its political legitimacy bankrupt, the U.N. has essentially become a worldwide janitorial service, cleaning up international messes long after the party is over.
Meanwhile, Nations like Spain, Australia, Italy, Great Britain and Eastern Europe must be rewarded for loyalty. Their leaders risked their political necks, often in the face of withering homeland criticism. But they made the right choice. For Eastern Europe, this couldn't come at a better time. These fledgling economies are delicately fluttering in the political winds, struggling to escape their miserable totalitarian socialist past. What better encouragement but a handshake with an equally fledgling free Iraq? New alliances are being forged as you read these words.
Out of pragmatism, the aftermath of Iraq has two words: "carrot" and "stick." Rewards must come at the expense of the disloyal, and there must be a harsh price for infidelity. If the wayward don't suffer, they become rewarded for selling out. Then, loyal nations would have no incentive to side with America in our next crisis. Bush has no choice. Nations that helped? They get carrots. Nations that refused to help? They get smacked across the snout. And contrary to expectations, their selfish cowardice will help George Bush earn a second term.
But American vengeance is really the lesser factor. Iraqi vengeance is far more powerful. And George Bush plans to hand the reins over as soon as possible. The new Iraq will be run by Iraqis, with recent memories of brothers, parents and children who suffered through mustard gas, rape squads and human shredding. The Iraqi people will choose who helps them rebuild. And they'll remember who saved them. And who didn't.
The United States of America is the new sugar daddy, and the engagement between the largest economy and the second largest oil reserves is imminent. There's a New World Order, and the deck just got shuffled. The United States is the House. The U.S. military are the bouncers. But at this table? Iraq is the dealer. Those who anted up are in the game. The rest? They are out at the pool, wondering why that pool boy is smiling.
(Printer friendly version) Email: Tom Adkins
