It happened so suddenly and unexpectedly, I've never really known why or how, so I've tried to identify what, exactly, removed me from the American tribe.
One major reason, I believe, is that I refused to see the people of the entire region of the middle east and south Asia as inveterate enemies. Americans need their enemies, it seems, far more than they need friends. Indeed, I think the entire Arab world would have been a friend of the West, had they been treated with respect and dignity in their own countries. They are fighting to protect their cultures, their traditions, their customs ... essentially for the right to live their lives as they choose. They are fighting for their homes and families. And what American doesn't support that right?
Do I fear a "Muslim caliphate"? Not in the least. The persecution of Christians? No. Christians and Muslims lived together in Iraq for generations. But twenty years ago, Christians had to flee Iraq and live as refugees. Why? What changed?
We all know "what changed." The United States overthrew the only forces of stability in that region. Why? Underlying that aggression was the theft of natural resources that are there in abundance, protecting the petrodollar, and protecting the interests of Israel. The stated goal of "spreading democracy" goal was total bullshit. It was always about the expansion of American hegemony.
Syria and Iran were always "next" when the US invaded Iraq in March 2003, a tiny, impoverished, virtually unarmed nation ... a nation helpless to defend itself. That invasion, justified by lies, was an act of abject cowardice and brutality. The people had no right to resist? Don't tell me that lie. They had every right to resist foreign invaders, as they have for centuries.
The people of Arab nations have proven to be fearsome enemies in battle. They always have been. Their tactics may seem brutal or barbaric to us, but there is very little more "brutal" than mechanized killing. So many people and, sadly, many young people, have boasted to me that the United States will win these wars with technology. And it is true that ISIS or whoever will never achieve even one-thousandth of the technological capability of the United States, but when it comes to a fight on the ground, face-to-face, hand-to-hand, man-to-man, they show up ready. They don't make excuses for not visiting their Armed Forces Recruiter because of that elbow injury they suffered playing Wii Tennis, or that lingering Nintendo thumb from when they were in junior high.
But Americans don't intend to send more troops. That will only intensify their humiliation, they'll only be sent home, tails tucked. Americans will do this by remote-control, using robotic drones. Essentially while hiding behind machines.
But to win, unfortunately, and at some point, it will be necessary to show up.
The defenders in these targeted countries will show up. And that's all they need to do to win. As W. B. Prescott wrote, "In any contest between power and patience, bet on patience."
Ho Chi Mihn was a very patient man.
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Charles
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