The recent events in Libya and Ivory Coast have to many woven a new thread on how humanitarian efforts are meant to unfold, and whilst it might be unfair to put the Obama Doctrine on trial just yet, I think we need to take a look at a presidency that which preached such high hopes, specially when it came to foreign policy, and humanitarianism. The Obama Doctrine can be summed up as pretty much everything the Bush Jr. Doctrine wasn't, less about just fighting Islam as a force for evil in the world, and more about winning the hearts and minds of those in Middle Eastern nations. It also means being a fair minded and assertive ally of groups at the throats of each other, specially in the case of Israel and Palestine. And really, all this isn't bad, even with conservatives in the United States quick to suggest that this is a toothless proposal, and that America needs to put troops on the ground when it comes to fighting terror; but the war isn't that black and white, specially when it comes to making democracies out of Muslim nations, so new to the idea, and divided nations along ethnic or religious lines. Those who cry out for action from US forces on the ground, need to go back to Afghanistan and Iraq and count the civilian casualties: that isn't the way to win hearts and minds. It admit there should be a time and a place for troops on the ground tho, saying that he would support those freedom seeking people's of the world, who needed America's hand in his inauguration speech. Just this week tho we have seen how America doesn't necessarily want to follow along with Obama vision for foreign policy, with the burning of the Quran in the United States sparking an uproar in Afghanistan and elsewhere. Alot of Americans are again wondering, "didn't interfering in the Middle East like we are in Libya put us in the mess we had with Afghanistan and creating the monster of Islamic terrorism?" and "why aren't we more focused on issues at home rather then what is going on in Africa or Libya or Qatar?". This really makes we wonder, as much hope there really is in a lot of what the Obama Doctrine includes, is American really willing to go along with this new type of foreign policy for America, and is the rest of the world really seen any differences in America's way, along the lines of "Hope" and "Change"?
Take for example what has been going on in the Ivory Coast as an example, and let me explain what I mean. This nations has been threw hell and back in recent months, with a civil war cast of the election of a new leader Alassane Ouattara, and the previous president - Gbagbo - unwilling to step down. The fighting has ensued for some months, and the blood shed has been great, not to mention the atrocities of soldiers taking what the want and raping whomever women they please. Recently tho, attacks of forces loyal to Gbagbo went too far, and having attacked the hotel where United Nations forces were stations, and attacking UN peace keepers protecting civilians, the UN turned from enforcing a cease fire, to taking actions against Gbagbo in the interest in toppling his power, and brining his crimes against his own country to a stop. It didn't take long for French special forces to be called in, and whilst their role was paved as simply support, its clear that they were involved in capturing Gbagbo and letting the democratically elected leader Ouattara take charge in the Ivory Coast. He was quick to say that all those whom have committed crimes will be brought to justice, and it didn't take long for the fighting to stop, with images of Gbagbo seen wiping himself with a towel on national television putting the nail in the coffin for the movement in support of him. But that isn't the happy ending of this story folks. Because I am sure there were many watching the same pictures in Libya, and Qatar, caught with similar atrocities and the same ruthless type dictator were thinking "hey, what about us?". Hillary Clinton issued a statement saying that this specks to dictators all around the world, but really does it, specially considering it has taken so long, with the United States and United Nations doing nothing? I'm sure instead the rebels in Libya were thinking "so really we have to wait until Qaddafi starts blowing NATO aircraft out of the sky, until the United Nations will take action against Qaddafi". And the dictators of Libya, Syria, and Qatar took away the lesson that: "Ok, as long as we don't attack UN forces when and if they arrive, then we are fine". Many might also be looking at the strong connections that Alassane Ouattara has with French President Nicolas Sarkozy and that really, this humanitarian demonstration amounts to a re-invention of colonialism, just in a different form: particularly considering how French special forces were involved. Now I know, as I am sure it is apparent to you, that America isn't the one in the wrong here, but I am concerned that instead of doing something and leading the way, America is not leading, and now showing with example, cause all this leaves me thinking: What on earth happened to winning hearts and minds?
I know I have a habit of painting these recent posts on the Middle East with interpretation, and trying to understand what others are thinking, but too often I see a lack of this, we want to see how what is happening in the world is relevant to me, in the United States or Britain, but really what about these other Middle Eastern countries? I am not trying to encourage terrorists, nor am I trying to say it how it is, I am trying to example, this is how people will take what is going on, cause this is what it looks like. No one can doubt there is a huge amount of audacity in what Obama has proposed, but really does it amount to what the world and America wants, it seems in reality these are two separate things, which is the contradiction of thoughts and minds on the one hand, and sitting on the side lines trying to tell it like you want it to seem on the other. I know that there might be those who reflected on America using Afghanistan as a spring board to fight the Russians and Communism way back when, which sparked the extremism the world is currently having to put up with. But in reality, those who point that out, should really go listen: because I suspect the most frustrating part was when American assistance to fight the Russians packed up, and left, and those in Afghanistan who fought, felt portrayed and used. Toppling Qaddafi's leadership might be in a way making Libya a spring board for democracy, and make America worried they cannot commit in the long term, but this Administration needs to have a think: You cannot win the hearts and minds of anyone from the sidelines! This kind of sidelining, really creates a bleak picture for a president who won the Nobel Peace Prize; makes him look more and more like the Clinton Presidency with a failure to act in Bosnia after the Black Hawk Down embarrassment of how to enforce humanitarianism. America can build on its fear of interfering in African countries, and Middle Eastern ones, and a want for regional bodies like the African Union to call the shots, and let America keep its aid dollars at home, but really now is the time to lead. The hearts and minds are still out there, and still waiting, in Libya, Qatar; waiting, and wondering: "Short Term Policy Change or Long Term Policy Pitch?". Because a new administration can pitch all they like, but they should remember: its the action that really counts.
