American Foreign Policy: Part I

This will be the first post of several, though not in succession, regarding American Foreign Policy.

I was recently looking through some of my old books from college and came across William Fulbright’s “The Arrogance of Power”. I decided I would pop it open and read several chapters. I also find it interesting to read works written years, even decades ago, to get a feel for what life was like, as well as what predictions people had for the future. Anyways, I came across two passages that stuck out.

“Power tends to confuse itself with virtue and a great nation is peculiarly susceptible to the idea that its power is a sign of God’s favor, conferring upon it a special responsibility for other nations – to make them richer and happier and wiser, to remake them, that is, in its own shining image.”

I believe that with the current situation in Iraq this quote, albeit written 41 years ago, has significant meaning.

I hate to argue over the fact that this nation is at war in Iraq. I believe we must accept that and move on to how victory can be achieved. But this quote spells out the flaws by which the current administration believed heading to Iraq was right.

The Bush Administration felt that it was the duty and responsibility of the United States to take on the Hussein dictatorship in an effort to establish a free and Democratic society in the heart of the Arab Street. What the quote above offers about our current situation is that the United States, as the world’s sole military superpower, believed it was right in changing the political makeup of a nation.

The United States, and its leaders, must realize that political revolution does not come from outside the state, but rather from within the hearts and souls of those living in a particular nation. If the people lack the will or readiness to revolt against their particular leaders and governmental makeup, a foreign nation cannot force that will.

Our foreign policy must be benevolent in nature, but realistic in its means. The perceived ends may look enjoyable, but when dealing with other nations it is generally the will of the people who will dictate the outcomes regarding the formations of their government.

Thought it may be too late to right the means by which we entered Iraq, I hope future Presidents will learn from the experience of Iraq: Know who you are dealing with- Understand their history-Read their religious text-Make sure they are ready for change-And most of all never assume.

The second quote is…

“What I do fear is that she (The United States) may be drifting into commitments which, though generous and benevolent in intent, are so far-reaching as to exceed even America’s great capacities”


*I do understand what Sen. Fulbright stood for while serving in the Senate, but I find his words mentioned above telling of our time and situation.