Defense Monitor: Where is America Going? Five Years After Sept. 11

US Foreign Policy Post 9/11
Posted by: robgregory on Tue, 17 Jun 08 00:36:55 +0000

This is a set of four articles aimed at a broad discussion of America's foreign policies post September 11th. The articles are brief, yet filled with enough data to make a compelling case that America has followed a questionable path since the horrific September attacks. The first article takes issue with the Bush administration's War on Terror, and asks the questions, Why was America attacked in the first place, and What might have been a more productive response for US foreign policy? The author question's the Bush administration's ideology of fear politics at home, and blinded belligerence abroad. Its an excellent, and brief, article, which raises rather important questions, which have serious implications for Americans and their security in the future. The second article is equally compelling. This one deals with the Bush administration's willingness to overlook standards and policies set in place to prevent the arms trade with questionable partners, including ones that are guilty of human rights abuses. Countries such as India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Uzbekistan are highly questionable trade partners, yet the US has eagerly transferred weapons to them post 9/11. Overlooking human rights issues to ensure willing allies alone is questionable. Certainly, trading weapons with such countries raises serious moral concerns. The third article looks at terrorist attacks and questions the Bush administration's contention that we are winning the War on Terror. With America's own foreign policy experts admitting that Iraq has become the cause celebre, or renewed focus, of surging international terrorism, the author has a serious gripe here. The final article brings our attention to the lack of transparency with this country's military spending. The article reveals that this government cannot properly explain just how much the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have cost. Sure, the financial toll has been enormous, but just as problematic for American democracy is the way the Department of Defense has spent vital resources on these wars. Collectively, this is an excellent group of articles, which I highly recommend.