The Europeans don't matter a hill of beans when it comes to Iraq. Turkey and Russia, are another matter, along with the Arab states.
Saddam recently made an unprecedented statement of support for Iran, its fellow in the "axis of evil." Now when has Saddam done such a thing since 1980? He's feeling the heat. Aziz got snubbed by the Russians, whose position on Iraq literally changed overnight after the State of the Union speech by Bush. Putin has publicly stated that Iraq "may be" a dangerous WMD proliferator and most definately needs to let inspectors back in. Turkey has stepped up planned military exercises with the US and the planned upgrade of a second base capable of sustained US operations. Saddam's neighbors and traditional defenders are running for the hills. The Europeans can bleat all they want, the ones that count have already abandoned him!
Besides, we're not acting alone. We're LEADING, I believe it is called. The US is setting the agenda, and telling everyone to hop on board, but if they don't, we don't care, we don't need you anyhow. Isn't that principled leadership, that the Europeans always blather on about when the US starts making noises about withdrawing troops from every corner of the globe (the self-same troops the Europeans were so clever to say have caused so much resentment, and made us deserve Sept 11th)? Which is it? Shall the US "lead" and do the dirty work Europe never has the balls to do? Or are we arrogant bullies, telling everyone what to do?
I'm glad my ancestors emigrated to America. Y'all Europeans are schizophrenic.
Derek |
