Current Events — HabitableZone

Current Events » in reply to Re: Dr Thomas Barnett...

Straight Answer
Perspective — (archived)

"moment when Washington takes real ownership of strategic security in the age of globalization."

I'll tell you what my honest take is on the above statement.

Unfortunately the United States has a terribly great interest in the balance of power and strategic security in the Middle East.

The September 11th attacks didn't create the need for the U.S. to take interest in what goes on in the Middle East, but it did serve as a motivational slap in the face to make us realize that we'd better pay attention.

When more than 3,000 people were killed in those attacks, it was a direct result of instability in the Middle East. Those terrorists didn't (primarily) receive their training, or create their organization, in Europe, or China, or South America, or the Pacific Rim, ect...

They were allowed to form because of safe havens that were created for them inside lawless nations, ruled by oppressive, anti-American, military governments...in the Middle East.

I will admit, our involvement does, unfortunately, appear to some as imperialistic. However, the much overused term "powder keg" does apply to the Middle East. Whether we like it or not, the "strategic security" in the Middle East DOES have very direct ramifications to the security of the American citizenry.

How many lives may have been saved on 9/11 if something had been done about the vacuum of power that was left after the U.S.S.R. pulled out of Afganistan?

Maybe all of them. Maybe none.

But I would have to say that it's not worth rolling the dice a second time by standing idly by, and keeping our noses out of the Middle East's business.

Log in or register to post.

The whole thread (66 posts)