As President Bush walked into the Capitol Rotunda last night, he knew he was about to face a very skeptical audience. Outside of Capitol Hill, the president knew that the American people have realized the ensuing chaos in the nation of Iraq, and have come to question our continued involvement.
In the sixty-five applause breaks during his speech, very few were during the reaffirmation of our Iraq commitment. No one rose to the idea of a civilian corps, and no one rose to his planned escalation.
Perhaps this is because the legislators knew that today they planned on passing bipartisan legislation opposing his new war strategy, or because they knew that Iraq has grown ever more unpopular, and this president ever more irrelevant.
Here we are, 5 years after the 9/11 attacks, an unpopular nation with an unpopular president. After all we’ve been through as a nation to get to this point, I pose the question: How did it happen?
These are images of the world reaction after the 9/11 attacks. A new BBC poll taken in 15 countries, found that nearly 70% of the world has a negative view of the United States. Five years ago however, the world stood in solidarity.
Five years after September 11th, we confuse the War in Iraq with the War on Terrorism. Repeatedly, this administration has mixed the two in the implementation of policy, knowing full well the 9/11 Commission reported otherwise. Iraq was not connected to Al-Quada, Saddam Hussein did not conspire to sell weapons of mass destruction to rouge states, and Iraq was not a breeding ground for international terrorist training camps.
We have paid dearly for this administration’s wrongs (in billions of dollars, and thousands of lives). So I find it only fitting that this is a just end to this horrible president, that his legacy be tarnished and bruised- and that his lack of strategy resonate as an example for the rest of history. Proving his failures: after the 9/11 tragedy his approval rating was 84%; last night it was around 30%.
Yet the trust of the American people is not the only thing he’s thrown away. In the face of a national tragedy he had the world behind the United States. The images above show people from all over the globe showing condolence to the U.S., and angered at the idea of international terrorism. Evil is universally understood, and on that day the world saw evil- and stood proud behind the forces of (what was perceived as) good.
Yet today I think to myself… what happened?
To the right is a diagram of international attitudes towards the United States conducted by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). International opinions of the U.S. were highest after 9/11, but the BBC reports that Iraq has severely dogged down our approval rating around the world. They elaborate on their findings:
The war in Iraq: an average of 73% of respondents disapproved (57% in the US). Disapproval was strongest in Argentina and France, while people in Nigeria, Kenya and the Philippines were more likely to approve.
Detainees in Guantanamo: 67% disapproved (50% in the US). Backing for America on this issue was highest in Nigeria, where 49% approved.
Israeli-Hezbollah war: Washington’s role met with approval from respondents in Nigeria and Philippines, but on average 65% disapproved across the 25 countries (50% in the US).
Iran’s nuclear programme: again, support for US actions appeared strongest in Kenya (62%), Nigeria (53%) and the Philippines (52%). But, overall 60% of respondents disapproved (50% in the US).
Global warming: more than 80% of respondents in Argentina, France and Germany disapproved compared to 56% overall (54% in the US). But the White House had 50% or more support among those polled in Nigeria, Kenya, the Philippines and South Korea.
North Korea’s nuclear programme: opposition to US policy was strongest among respondents in Argentina and Brazil. On average across the 25 countries 54% disapproved (43% in the US).
The world agrees- international terrorism is a problem, but the U.S’ involvement in Iraq has diminished any action from being taken, and left Europe in question.
On the fifth anniversary of the 11 September attacks against the US, Europeans agree with Americans that terrorism inspired by Muslim fundamentalism is a big threat to their lives. That new fear, combined with alarm at the conflicts on Europe’s doorstep in the Middle East and serious European doubts about US global leadership, means Europe as a whole is marking the anniversary in a mood of pessimism and uncertainty. That is reflected in the statements of European leaders on the anniversary. The government of Finland, which now holds the presidency of the 25-nation European Union, condemned all forms of terrorism, saying that “no cause, no grievance, can justify” any terrorist acts. BBC
European nations find it difficult to disassociate the War on Terrorism from the Civil War in Iraq. As the BBC reports, Europeans agree, terrorism is a major world issue- but given strong anti-American sentiments, many governments are unsure of how to properly execute anti-terrorist strategies.
Ultimately, the election in 2008 will introduce a new age of global diplomacy. A new leader will be elected to bring a new image before the global community, and the management of anti-terrorism strategies will be strengthened with new leadership. In the meantime, let’s reflect on how much we’ve lost; watch the video clip below remembering 9/11- and try to recall the generous world response to America’s tragedy. I remember, and I’m still humbled by it. Yet what angers me is the alienation of our allies, the misrepresentation of facts when invading a foreign nation, and the continued instigation of world terrorism by our presence in Iraq. Remember these things, and know that they are the reason for Bush’s solemn demeanor last night. I would be solemn too, had I failed so miserably as president.
