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Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group

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To: Elsewhere who wrote (90245)4/5/2003 12:57:11 PM
From: paul_philp   of 281500
 

I would welcome the proof that it's really about the liberation of the Iraqi people. President Bush and his team will have ample opportunity to continue the mission of spreading freedom, democracy and human rights:


It is very important. It will provide a key piece of evidence that the US administration really does 'think different', as Apple might say, in the post-9/11 world.

Some evidence so far:
- willingness to confront the UN;
- apparent success of AQ war, AQ will look weak in the Arab world for failing to act after US war on Iraq;
- willingness to implement strategy in the face of massive public opinion backlash;
- some initial signs that North Korean multilateral strategy beginning to work

All of these have been example of 'hard power' victories. Now it is time for 'soft power' victories and Iraq will be the first test. Of course, the real prize is the non-military defeat of the Iranian regime.

Backing off the 'Iraq political reform' agenda will cripple US soft power just as much a backing of the War would have crippled US hard power. I cannot imagine that Wolfie and friends don't fully understand this point.

Paul
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