World Must Persuade America to Be Fair

The opposition of the United States to Iran's nuclear program is yet another example of America's double standard in foreign policy. According to this op-ed article from Pakistan's The Nation, it is time for the world to 'deal resolutely with the U.S. and its Western allies,' and convince them to become 'equal partners' in building a new civilization.'

By Dr. Haider Mehdi

January 4, 2006

Original Article (English)    

Bush: 'No One Except Israel (Especially Iran and Arab States) Should Have
Nukes.'[Al-Mustaqbal, Lebanon].

Regarding the state of contemporary global affairs, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Raza Asefi may have recently made one of the most profound statements of the 21st century. He said, "Westerners are used to leading a monologue, but they should learn to listen to different views."

But, such a statement could be acknowledged as learned erudition only if one considers the Iranians "heroes," for their ongoing struggle against the largely American-Israeli-led opposition to its national ambition of acquiring nuclear technology.

But for decades, the Americans and the West Europeans have unilaterally reserved for themselves the coveted title of "hero." Any nation or individual other than one sponsored by the U.S. and its allies automatically falls in the category of "villain" if their political view or ideas are deemed outside the American-West European mainstream, regardless of the righteousness or logical justification of these views or ideas. More specifically, Bush's America considers it a birthright, its self-proclaimed "manifest destiny" to grab whatever it desires, justify whatever it thinks and demand compliance from all nations. In short, Washington feels worthy of pushing the entire world around any way it likes. America wants humanity to dance to its tune - either follow the U.S. or you are the "wicked, evil, villain."

If one is perfectly attuned to this "American rhythm" in life, one can expect to be an instant hero ) in the eyes of George W. Bush and his allies (like the millions of indoctrinated American citizens), or a prized nation (the Philippines), or an acclaimed political leader (Hosni Mubarak of Egypt).

'Burying Iran's Nuclear Program An Excuse to Bury (Invade) Iran.' [Arab News,
Saudi Arabia].

But realities on the ground are different: In many parts of the world, nations and millions of people still like to think for themselves and refuse to dance to the tune of others. America's "heroes" are not essentially their "heroes." Neither do several nations consider themselves "wicked," "evil" and "villainous" simply because these sovereign states refuse to conform to the U.S.-Western European political ideology, demagogic demands and overbearing harshness.

America's George W. Bush and his associates are ill at ease with this state of affairs. The West's dilemma turns out to be even more difficult when one considers that millions of people around the world have clearly identified the contradictions in the global behavior of America and its allies. The majority of the masses disagree with what America and its allies do, believe, promote, or wish to impose on the rest of humanity, now or in the future. In addition, a majority of the world's people disapprove of the American-West European political past, which is tainted with a long history of imperialism. 

Given the reality that nuclear arms are available to many nations, it is difficult for the average person anywhere in the world to understand American-West European opposition to Iran's ambition to attain nuclear technology. The nuclear issue, in fact, notwithstanding the mumbo-jumbo of so-called experts, is quite simple. If America, Israel, India, Pakistan and several other countries are entitled to nuclear technology and nuclear arsenals, then Iran, on the basis of rationality, deserves equanimity in this respect. To borrow an American phrase, "What is good for the goose, is good for the gander." Period. 

It should also be remembered that in the entire history of nuclear technology, the United States is the only country that actually used such weapons when it dropped atomic bombs on civilian targets: the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan. If any action or combination of actions are to be viable criteria to judge a nation's international behavior, then America stands guilty of flagrant crimes against humanity.

Bush: 'We're weighing options to stop Iran's nuclear program ... Which One of These Options Will be Best?'
[Arab News, Saudi Arabia].

American apologists can repeat indefinitely their dubious explanations for the use of atomic bombs against Japan, but the fact remains that the U.S. cannot be excused for this horrendous act of brutality; neither can it be exonerated for its unfair global political behavior, giving preferential treatment to some nations, while treating others with contempt and hostility on issues of similar nature.

America's perpetual double-standards and lack of introspection are troubling. The United States continues on its course of antagonism and belligerent global behavior without any condemnation from the U.N. or the world at large. Since dropping atomic bombs on Japan, Washington has threatened its political adversaries with the use of nuclear weapons on a number of occasions. Furthermore, it must also be remembered that the United States has initiated more military conflicts and wars than any country in the modern history of human civilization.

So, the fundamental questions are: How long will this practice of inequality between nations under American-West European leadership continue to dominate global affairs? How long can this unprincipled leadership be tolerated? Why should the world allow the U.S. and its allies to brutalize the world at large? How long should the West be allowed to lead a monologue on all political issues and disregard the views of three-fourths of humanity?

But above all, the most important question is: How are can we convincingly explain to common folk, with any sense of rationality, that America and its allies and their prized "hero" nations deserve a different set of criteria for judging their international behavior? And on what grounds is different treatment justified? An even more important question is: How can such an argument even be conceived of in today's world?

Consequently, the time has come for the world to deal resolutely with the U.S. and its Western allies, and convince them with steadfast determination to become equal partners in a new global civilization and world order in which all nations and all people are treated equally.

As for who are the "heroes" and who are the "villains" on the American-Israeli and Iranian nuclear issue, I know exactly where I stand. Perhaps all of us should carefully examine the facts and decide for ourselves who our "heroes" and "villains" are. The earlier this is decided, the better the future of this planet will be.

E-mail: hl_mehdi@hotmail.com