World Affairs Board - View Single Post - Elements of the Bush Doctrine Will Outlive the Bush Presidency

Ray · 05-09-2008, 11:52 AM

S-2

I find the Bush/ Cheney Doctrine fabulously brilliant from a military POV. I have no qualms over Bush/ Cheney’s strategy over Afghanistan or Iraq. It was most essential from the Strategic POV to ensure US supremacy. What I don’t subscribe to is the pithy piety being showcased in the pseudo moral jabberwocky of “Freedom and Democracy”.

At the risk of repeating myself, I would explain, lest I am misunderstood. The high standing on “Freedom and Democracy” is a bit overworked, more so, since the US has supported dictators and horrendous autocratic and horrid regimes before and even now. Therefore, the rationale for invading Iraq appears a bit off key. Indeed, if Saddam was a horror, which he was, so is Mugabe, the Sudan junta or even the Somalia rabble.

Therefore, sans the morality, the Doctrine is flawless.

Today, it may have its critics, but in the not so far future, this Doctrine will be hailed as a masterpiece, the same way buying of Alaska is acclaimed!

No, even if one wants to withdraw from Iraq or Afghanistan, one just cannot for a variety of reasons. And, anyway, as I look at it, there is no intention to leave. Not for some imperialist reason, but mere strategy. They are great strategic footholds; something like a land version of the Chinese strategy of string of pearls! The Middle East is being kept in place and Russia and China squeezed and kept on tenterhooks! Pakistan, which has potential for trouble and exportation of terrorists is totally leashed and instead are being busied by fighting the terrorists they themselves had spawned. India is currently being pampered and weaned away from Russia and her strategic concerns are being addressed to conform to the US scheme of things! Things would have been better from the US strategic perspective, but for Rudd appearing to be a maverick!

I am not looking at the tactical wins and defeats in Iraq or Afghanistan. These things have their ups and downs. The strategic resolve is the most important aspect. Come what govt in the US, it will still have to fall in line with the strategy since no American, irrespective of party affiliation, is ready to be the second fiddle. Hilary, Obama or McCain, they are all the same; their rhetoric different, the goals same!

I don’t think that the neo con knights were wrong. They were deviously brilliant!

05-09-2008, 11:52 AM	#18 (permalink)
Ray Postmaster General *Military Professional* Join Date: 08-20-03 Posts: 26,136 Country:	S-2 I find the Bush/ Cheney Doctrine fabulously brilliant from a military POV. I have no qualms over Bush/ Cheney’s strategy over Afghanistan or Iraq. It was most essential from the Strategic POV to ensure US supremacy. What I don’t subscribe to is the pithy piety being showcased in the pseudo moral jabberwocky of “Freedom and Democracy”. At the risk of repeating myself, I would explain, lest I am misunderstood. The high standing on “Freedom and Democracy” is a bit overworked, more so, since the US has supported dictators and horrendous autocratic and horrid regimes before and even now. Therefore, the rationale for invading Iraq appears a bit off key. Indeed, if Saddam was a horror, which he was, so is Mugabe, the Sudan junta or even the Somalia rabble. Therefore, sans the morality, the Doctrine is flawless. Today, it may have its critics, but in the not so far future, this Doctrine will be hailed as a masterpiece, the same way buying of Alaska is acclaimed! No, even if one wants to withdraw from Iraq or Afghanistan, one just cannot for a variety of reasons. And, anyway, as I look at it, there is no intention to leave. Not for some imperialist reason, but mere strategy. They are great strategic footholds; something like a land version of the Chinese strategy of string of pearls! The Middle East is being kept in place and Russia and China squeezed and kept on tenterhooks! Pakistan, which has potential for trouble and exportation of terrorists is totally leashed and instead are being busied by fighting the terrorists they themselves had spawned. India is currently being pampered and weaned away from Russia and her strategic concerns are being addressed to conform to the US scheme of things! Things would have been better from the US strategic perspective, but for Rudd appearing to be a maverick! I am not looking at the tactical wins and defeats in Iraq or Afghanistan. These things have their ups and downs. The strategic resolve is the most important aspect. Come what govt in the US, it will still have to fall in line with the strategy since no American, irrespective of party affiliation, is ready to be the second fiddle. Hilary, Obama or McCain, they are all the same; their rhetoric different, the goals same! I don’t think that the neo con knights were wrong. They were deviously brilliant! __________________ "Some have learnt many Tricks of sly Evasion, Instead of Truth they use Equivocation, And eke it out with mental Reservation, Which is to good Men an Abomination." I don't have to attend every argument I'm invited to. HAKUNA MATATA