American Cellophane

Do the U.S. and Israel feel what’s been happening in the Arab world or are they completely surprised, swept away by a wave of events? Their efforts to restrain, control, and redirect events are clearly evident to every observer.

However, the rationale for political intervention is present, at least in the minds of Americans; like cellophane, it is artificial and wrapped in a shiny veneer of rationality. It says: “America is a great nation in the world and they naturally and accordingly ought to have a role in controlling the pace of the ongoing political situation and their strategic plots. America justifies her intervention to itself as it has been justified to others, but it has also claimed it as a right.”

Just as in the previous Egyptian situation, in Libya, Washington is waiting for the situation to stabilize in favor of the protesters. The rebels entered negotiations to enhance their own political legitimacy in the international power struggle that has raged over the past few days that saw the death and injury of hundreds in Libya.

The scenario of American intervention in the Libyan crises reveals an opportunity for Americans. At the very least, this intervention could involve some free political gains for America. There is now a party in Libya that is on the side of intervention, or is inclined toward it, although not to this form of intervention. America’s political maneuvers will create a relationship and open communication with this pro-intervention party, causing America to become the decision-maker in Libya.

America may be unable to man the response of such interventions and scenarios by virtue of the international political game on one hand, and by virtue of the rapid changes on the other. But the real fear lies in what could happen later if they can mount the intervention, especially the possibility that Libya would become involved in America’s secret goals, which would preempt the goals of the real Libyan revolution and either make it a forgery or suffocate it. In the Libyan case in particular, it is foolish to think that American intervention would be free, despite their cellophane-wrapped promises!