FAILED ara THE ABUSE OF POWER AND THE ASSAULT ON DEMOCRACY NOAM CHOMSKY ene Hot apd Company | How York@ yee ©2005 ary Chay Troe of ny ‘hari om ary te a be ipa ran ad Manse ype Sial 20 oe ene Contents Proface 1, Stark, Dread, Iescapable 2 Onslow Sees 3. legal Leiinate 4. Democracy Promoxion Abroad 5. Suppasting Evidences The Middle East 6. Demoensey Promotion at Home Alteeword Notes Indes ° 102 166 205 asi 265 sarPreface “Theselecion of isu tar should rank high on the agnda of concern for human wellaee and rights natal, subjective mater, Bus there area few choices chat seem unavoidable, because they bear s slretly on the prospects for decent survival. Among thet age a lease these three: maclar wae, envconmencl disaster, andthe foc thatthe sgosernment of the world’s leading power is acting in ways that i ‘crease che fkeihond ofthese eatstrophs, Is immponan to ses the government, Because the population, wo: surprisingly doesnot agree, “Thar brings up a fourth issu chat should deeply concern Americas, ank she world: the sharp divide between public opinion and public policy, one ofthe reasons for the feos, which canna easly be put ‘ide, thar “tbe American “system’ asa whole iin real rouble—shat it is ding in direction char spells the end of is historic values fo] quality, liberty, and meaningful deniocracy.™* ‘The “ystem” is coming to have some of the feshnes of filed stots, to adopt 2 eureney fashionable nation that is conventionally applied to states eeganded as potential threats to our security (lke rag) or as needing our inrerveation to rescue te population fen vere internal thet lke Halt. Though the concept is recognized ro he “frustratingly impresise,” seme of the pinay characersies of failed states canbe ietfed, Ove i their inability oF unvsilingness roprotect theie citizens fom violence and perhaps een destracton, An ‘others their tendency co regard themselves as beyenil che each af da- reste a international aw, an hence fee co carry ot aggression and violence, And if they have democratic forms, cy ser feom a sri ‘us "democratic defcie” tha deprives thee formal democratic insti tions of real substance? "Among the hardest tasks that anjone can undertake, and one ofthe most isportan, i t0 Look honestly in the mitor. I ee allow aur selves ro do so, we should hase lle dfn in fnding the charac teristics of led states” right at home. That recognition of reality shouldbe deeply trong ea these wo care about cei counties na fueuce generations. “Conntis,” plural, because of che enormous reach of US power, but also because the threats are not localized in spice or ime, “The fs half ofthis book i deverl mostly co the increasing threat ‘of destauction caused by US tate power, in violation of international lay, a topic of pariular concern for citizen of the work dominant power hawcrer one assesses the eelevane threats. The second fal is ‘concerned primarily with democratic institutions how they are con- ‘eived in ee lite culkure ani how they peefoem in cealty, both in * peomocing democracy” abroad an shaping ita bom. “The isues are closely teri, and ais in several contents Aiscussing them, 40 ave excessive footing [will omit sources when they can easily e found in recent Books of mine.” Chapter 1 Stark, Dreadful, Inescapable Half ceuury ago, in July 1955, Bertrand Rossland Albert Einstein issued an extraordinary appeal 1 the pepe of the world, aking them "to set aside” the song feelings they have about many issues and o consider themselves "only as mesabers ofa biological species which has hd a remarkable history, and whose disappearance none af scan desire.” The choice facing the word is “stark and dre and imscapae: shall we pu a end co the human rac; or shall mankind The world hae nor enoanced war. Quite the contrary. By now, the work's hegemonic power accnds itself che ight wage wat at will, tinder a doctrine of “anticipatory seldefense” with unstated bounds. Trweenational La, treaties, and fuk of world onde are sternly im pose on oxhers ich much self-righteous posturing, but dignised as ierlevane for she United Stares—a long-standing practice, driven t0 ‘eve depts by the Reagan and Bush I administrations? ‘Among the most elementary of mocal tuisms is the principle of ‘ouversaity: we mast apply to ourselves the same standards we do to others, if nor move stingant ones, I a remarkable comment on ‘Wester intclloctual culture that this principle ie so often ignored snd, if pcasionally mentioned, condemned as outrageous. This i particu larly shaineful on the part of those who flaunt their Christian piety,: HAILED STATES and therefore have peesumably at Fait ese ofthe definiion of the hypocrite in the Goapele Relying solely on elevated rhetoric, commentators ure ws ro appre ‘ate the sincenty ofthe professions of "moral lariy” and “esis by the political ladersip, To ake ost one of inaumerae examples, the well-known sholae Philip Zelikw deduces “the cw eeteality of ‘moral pensples” ia the Bush administration from “the administra Hons eiezvic” and single fact: he propos a increase development aid—to a fraction of cha provided by other rich counties relative to the se of their economies! The rhetnic is indced impressive. “I exer this comemismene i my “sv the prsiden delaved sm Magch 2002 as he erate the Millen- ‘ium Challenge Corporation co boost Ending to cara power inthe developing wold. In 2008, rhe corporation erased the statement for its cbt after the bush administration edaced ity projected det by billions of dos shed resiged “after fling to get the progeaea economist elfeey Sachs writes, having “disbursed almost nats” ofthe SED billion originally promised. Meanivhi, Bush re- ject call fom Prime Minister Teny Blair to double sito Arica, anid expressed willingness join other industrial ccwntrics ecating Unpayable African debe om aid wascoresponding]yredwexd, 096s that amount to “t duh sentence for move than 5 wailion Afizans 3 year who deaf preventable and treatable causes,” Sachs notes, When Tush’s ew ambassador, Jobn Bolton, arived at the United Nasons shortly before ts 2005 stmt eat nce demandes the elimination of val ocureences ofthe phrase “illensivm development goal frm the document that ha heen eaceully prepares’ after long napota.ons to deal with “poverty, sexual dscsiniaation, hunges, primary educa ‘on, cil mortliey, maternal health the environment and disexs."* Rhetoric is alays uplifting, and we ae enjoined to adrsice the sn cerityof those who produce, ven when they actin ways Pat recall Alexis de Tocgueville's observation that the United State as able “0 ceterinate the Indian ree... without violating single great prin ple of morality in dhe eyes of the worl.” Reigning doctrines are often called a “ube standard,” The erm ‘smislending Iris moce accurate to denctibe them asa ingle standard, ear and unmiscakable, che standaed that Adam Smith called the “vile maxim ofthe masters of mankind... All oe ourselves, and nothing for thee people.” Mach has changed since his day, but the vie maxima floutishes?” ‘The singlesandard is wo deeply entencied that ie beyond aware nes. Take “terror,” che leading topic af the day. Thee is a seraightfor- want single stare: seirtemor against ys and oar clients isthe hate evi while our retro agains them does nr existe it does, 's entirely appropriate. Ove clear illastation is Washington's terrorist war against Nicaragua inthe 19806, an uncontroversial case, least for those wit belive chat dhe Intentional Court of Josie and dhe UN Security Couneil—bath of which condemned the United States—have some stanng om such matters. The Ste Deparment confirmed that the US-run forces ateacking Nicaragua from US bases in Honduras had hewn authorize to attack “soft targets," hati, undefended civilian ear sets. A protest by Americas Witch oicied «sharp response by a re pected spokesman of "the lt," New Republic editor Michael Kinley, \who patiently explained har reer attacks on civilian targets should byeevalnated om pragmatic grounds “sensihlepliy should meet the ‘est of cost-benefit analysis” of “the amount of bla and misery dae will be poured i, and che Gkeinood tht demeceacy wil emerge athe ‘other end—* democracy" 2: define by US elites of coarse ‘The assumptions remain beyond challenge, even perception. In 2005, th press reported tha the Hash administration was facing as Ficus “dilemma” Voneesela was secking exteadicion of one of the most notorious Latin American terrorists, Las Posada Cailes, en face charges forthe bombing of a Gahan airfner king seventy- ‘hee people, The charges were credible, bur ehore waa rel ifcults. |Afier Posada exaped froma Venezuelan prison, he “was heed by US weapons policy as immoral, illegal, militaily vanecesary, and Aevaflly dangerous.” This policy erates “unacceptable rks co other ‘ations and to our own [both the risk of “accidental or inadvertent ‘nuclear Launch,” which i “unacceprably high,” and of nuckae attick by terrorists). McNamara endorse! the udgmnt of Clitoris defense seecetary William Perey tha “there ea greater chan 50 percene prob Dilty ofa nuclear serike ow US targets within a dacade."”” Graham Allison reports tha the “consensus in che national seen- sity community” is tha @ “dirty hamb” stack is “inevitable.” while sn attack with a nuclear weapon is highly likely i fsionable Imaterials—the esenvialingredions—are not recieved and secured Resiewing the partial succes of efforts to do sa since the early 199%, tdr the nites of Senatoes Same Nan and Richard Lupe, All son describes the setback to chese programs foam the Fs ays of the lush administration, Bush planners put to the se the programs 1 avert “inevitable nuclear seer,” a6 they devoted their energies 10 Ariving the country co war and ther t efforts ro costa somehow the catstophe they created in tag. In the journal of he American Academy of Arts and Sciences, not ven to hyperbole, tragic analysis john Strinbraner and Nancy Gallagher warn chat the Bush administration’ military programs and is aggresive stance cary “an appreciable risk of ultimate doom.” The reasons are straightforward, Pursuit of toal security by one te, including che right to wage war at will and “to remove the clear brakes” (Pedaeaur, emilee insecurity of others, who ar likely 10 react. Te tevtiying technology’ now being developed a Rumsfeles transformation of the military “will assuredly dfs o the rest ofthe work.” Inthe context of “competition in intimidation,” che ation reaction ec creates a “rising daage, potentially an unmanageable sone.” “the United States political system eanaot recognize that cs and cannot confrone ee implications,” dey warn, “its viability will be very much in quosion."!” Steinbruner and Gallagher expres hope that the thet the US gor- ernment is posing to is own population and the world will be ea tered by a coalition of peace-loving natons--led hy China! We haveia PAILED STATES ‘come to «prety pass when such thoogits are expressed a the heart fof the eseablishment, An what that ilies about the state of Ames ‘ean demoericy—where the isos scarcely ever enter the electoral farena 0 public discussion —i 0 less shocking and heating las: trating the democratic ecie mentioned in the pcface. Steinbrunee and Gallagher bring up China becanse ofall che nuclear states ie “has roaintained by far he most restrained pattern of ailcary deploy rent” Furthermore, China has led efforts in the United Nations 10 preserve cuter space for peaceful purpases, in conics with the United States which, along with Irae, has barred all moves co prevent an arms face in space ‘The militarization of spice dil not originate inthe Brsh adn tration, Clinton's Space Command called for dominating the space dimension of military operations to protect US interests and invest mont” mach in the way armies and navies did in eslier years. The United States must therefore develo “space-based strike weapons le abling| the application of precision fore from, to, ad through spce.” Such fore wil be necded, US italigence and the Spaoe Command saree, becanae “plobalization ofthe world eeomonry” will ad to a “widening economic divide” and "deepening economic stagnation, po- Sica astbiity, and cultural alienation,” thus provoking unrest and violence among the “havent,” much ofr dizeted against the United Sees, The space program fll within the framework ofthe officially ‘announced Clinton doctrine that the United Seats senile resort to “unloeral use of mibtary power” to ensure “sninhibited access to hey markets nergy spl, and strategic resoures."* ‘Clinton planners {STRATCOM) advised farther that Washington should porteay itself ae “ierconal and vinicsive i its vital interests sve stacked,” including the threat of se stike with nackae weapons against non-nuclear sates. Nuckar weapons are far more valuable than other weapons of mass destruction, STRATCOM noted, because "the extreme dessuetian fro a nuclear explosion is immediate, with few if any pailiatives ro reduce its effect.” Furthermore, “nuclear ‘weapons always cat a shadow over any crisis or confit” extending owes. Again, the strayic doctrines not fhe teach of convention ‘new. For example, Carter's defense seeretary Harold Brown called on STARK, DREADFUL, INESCAPABLE » ‘Congeess «© fund strategic nuclear capabilites because with them, our ater forces become meaningful struments of military and pe liseal powec," which mast be asalahle everywhere in the Thi! World Iraause, “largely for econewnic reason,” there i “increased urbu- lence iron within as well as intervention fom the Sovies Union "the Taner more a pretest than a reason, face somnaimes frankly recog nied.” Under the Bush administration the threas have become een more serious Bash planners extend Clinton's doetrine of enrol of space foe alitary parpose to “oxenersbip" of space, which “may mei stant engagement anyeere i the worl.” Top military commanders fnfcred Congress in 2005 thatthe Pentagon x daveloping new space sveaponry tha would allo the United Stats to lunch a atk very wicks, with very shoe time lines onthe planning and delivery any place am she face of che earth," Goeal Jams Cartwright, bed ofthe Suategic Command, explained The policy sbjects every part of the oe to the risk of instant destacton, thanks to sophissiated glob) suneillance and lethal offensive weaponry in space—sceiprocally en sdangeing the people of ze United Sates The Bush administration as also broadened the fsr-tike option, ond hos increasingly lured the line between consentionsl and ni ‘lear weapons, thus heightening “the risk tha he nacear option wi ‘be wed," mifrary analyse Wiliam Arkin observes, Weapons systems row under development could “deliver a conventional papload pee- ‘ely on tage within minutes of vl command and contrl lease de,” conforming ton ie force doctrine that defines pace superior ity a8 "Freedom to azack as well a feed From attack.” Weapons expert John Pike comments thatthe new progrars allow the United States “ro crush someone anyshere ia the world on tity minutes ao- ie with 0 aed fora nearby ait has,” a substantial hee given the regions] antagonism arose hy the hundreds of US bases placed sl ‘ver dhe world ro ensure global domination. The zaional dense strat ‘my that Romfeld signed on March, 2005, “enables us wo projet power anywhere inthe world from secute bases of cperstion,” seco ising, “the importance of iPlancing events before challenges become more dangercas and fst managabl,” in accord with ee preventive‘war doctrine. General Lance W. Loe, hal of the Air Force Space Command, informed Congress that systems currently under develop sen wil allow dhe United Staves to “deliver a conventional payload procsely oo cnger within minues ofa valid conan a contol re- lease order”—andl a nonconvendonal pylon as well needles 0 say. "Not surprisingly, hese actions have eliied cancer, crscism, and reactions, Senior leary and space ofcals of the Eurepean Union, Canada, China, and Russia waened that “just as the unleash- ing of nuclear weapons had unforesen consequences, $0, 0, woud the weaponizacion of space.” As anticipated, Rossia responded 10 Busts wast increase in afensive military capaciy by sharply increas ing its own caps ad has reacted ro Pentagon leaks about ita tization of space by aancuncing that it would “consider wing force i necessary to respond.” "Mase defense’—recngnized on all sides co be a Restateke weapon—i « particule sevete danger 0 China IF the programs show any sigs of succes, China likely 10 expand is offensive capacities to preserve its detetene. China is already develop ing more poweefl niles wieh multe nuclear warheads capable of teaching the UniuslSeates, policy called “aggressively defensive” by the Asia-Pacific edi for the world’s leading military weekly In 2004, the United States accounted for 95 percent of coral global mil- izay space exponditares, bur others may join if compelled eo do 50, vastly increasing the risks to everynae.* US analysts recognize thar currene Pentagon programs “can be imuerpracad ae 4 signifieant move by the United States coward ‘weaponization of space (and thas there seem lle doube she space hosing of weapons an aeepted aspect of the Air Force transforma- tion panning,” dselopanenes that “are in dhe lng rer very kel 0 have a negative effect om che cational security of the United States.” “Theie Chinose counterparts agre that while Washington proclaims defensive ieentions, “to China and ea many ther countries the con seeacton of sich a syxtem looks mere like the development of the Death Star spaceship inthe Stay Wars film sere, Iwhich ean be use to attck mulcary and civilian satellites and targets anywhere oa tomb... «Space weapons are san as fsestrike weapons rather chan defensive arms, because they are vulnerable ro countermeasures. Their leploymenr, therefore, could be seen sign of US inten to use force i ioteroational affairs.” China and others may develop low-cost space weapons in reation, so that US policy “could tigger an aes race in space." Furthermore, “to protect against the potential loss of ie terre capailey, Ching coud also resort to bulling up its nuclear forces, which could in turn encourage India and then Pakiscan to fol low suit” Russia hos already “threatened ro respond 10 say country's deployment of space weapons—an act that could undermine the al sendy fale noelear non proliferation regime.” Meanwhile the Pentayon is pondering a distuching study by is ‘eading academic consultant on the Chinese miliary who has inves sored Chineseanguage military texts and inteviewed heir sushors ‘irawing a conclusion that “has rated many in Washington: Ching ses the US as 9 military rival.” We must therefore abaadon the idea that China is “an inheseodly gentle eaintry” and recngnie thatthe prranoid and devious Chinese may be guiely reading the path of wil Former NATO planner Michael MccGivire reminds as dhe in 1986, seizing the “dreadful logie” of ouclear weapons, Mikhail CGorhachay coll for their otal elimination, a proposal tht foundered ‘on Reagan's milsarizaton of space programs ("Star Wars"). Western sctring, he wees, “was explieiy premised on the ereible threat of "ine oe of nuclear weapons, and tha evatiaues tobe policy txay.” Rosia had Kepe wo the same docteine until 1994, when ic reversed iss saad, adopting a “no rst use” policy Bur Rania reverted to NATO. ccrine, and abandoned it call foe abolition of nuclear weapons, in response to Clinton's expansion of NATO in violation of Woshing rons “categorical assurance” to Gorbuchev thar fhe “would agree 0 » reunited Germany remaining in NATO, the alliance would not ex ipind eastwards 10 absorb former members of the Warsaw Pac.” In the ight of earlier history 0 1 spe of strategic isms, Cinco iolation offs pledges pose a series security threat so Russi, and “isthe antithesis of the ‘exclusion’ principle underlying she concept oF tnuclear-weaponsfree zones (NWEZ}.” Clinton's violation ofthe as Sorances explains “why NATO resisted formalizing the de facto Nw ‘encompassing eenral Europe from the Arctis to the Black“ FAILED STATES Sec." MecCwie goes on +0 pint xt tha sch fomaization “was proposed by Relais, Ukcsine and Rusia ia the mid-19%, but would have interfered wth plans vo extend NATO, Reverse reasoning ex plains why Washington supports dhe formaion ofan NWZ in Cen tral Asa, Should hese formce Soviet republics decide to jon Russa in 4 mila alliance, an NWEZ. would deny Moscow the option of d= plying nuclear weapons on ther tei.” “ APOCALYPSE SOON” The probability of “apocalypse soon” cannot be selistically est mated, fu tf surely too high for aay ssne peeson co contemplate with equanitnty. While spocoltion is points, eaction to the “stark nid dreadful and inescapable” choice Eistia and Russell described efnitly is not. On the conceary, eaction i urgent, particularly ia the United States, because of Washington’s primary role in aoceeraing the rave 4 destrecion by extending its historically unique eiltary dominance. “The chances of an aceient, mistaken or unauthorized ‘clea attack might be increasing,” warns Former senator Sam Nunn, ‘who has played eaing role i effores to ceduce she threat of musi war, “We are running an unnecessary sk of an Acmagedion of our ‘own making,” Nuna observes, as result of policy choices that leave “America’s survival” dependent on “the accuracy of Rosia's warning ‘systems and is command and cote.” Nunn i referring to the sharp ‘expansion of US nity programs hich di he stag balance ‘ways that make “Rassin mor likly ro launck upon waraing of an tack, withoue wating to se ifthe warning is aocuate” The dear ‘ealanced by the fact that “the Rusian easly warning system iin ser ‘os dsrepaie and mare likely to give a flse warning of incoming mis: sles.” US reliance on “te high alee, hair-rigger aucleae paste allows misiles to be hunched within minutes,” forcing “our leaders to decide alos instantly whother ro launch avekar weapons once they fave warning ofan atac, robbing then ofthe time they may tee to gather data, exchange information, gain peespective, discover an error and avoid catastrophic stake.” The risk extends beyond STARK, DREADFUL, IWESCAPABLE as Russia~anil also China fic pursues the same conse, Static analyst ruce Blair observes tha “the early warnig and control problems plaguing Pakistan, India and other nuclear prolifeators are ven more Another serious coacer, dscursed in technical lierstuse well be- fore 8/11, i thar nuclear weapons may sooner of late fll oto the Ihands of rertorise groups, who might use these and other weapons of mass destucton oth lethal effect. Those prospects are being a vanced by Bush administration planner, who donee consider teror iam a high pricrry, a they regulary deotonsrat. Theis aggressive rilitarism has no only led Russa eo expand significantly its offensive ‘apacitss, including more lethal nuclear weapons and deliery 58 foms, hut it aso inducing ebe Russian military 10 tansler mice ‘weapons constantly across Rusia’s wast terioryt© counter mounting Us chreats, Washington planners are surely awate that Ctechen rebels who had already stolen cadiozerve materials from nuclear waste plans and power stations have been casing “the railway system and special trains designed for shipping nuclear weapons acrnes Rus lar waens shar “this peepetoal mation {withia Russi] creates a serious vulnerable, because transportation isthe Achilles” heel of neler weapons sacuriny.” ranking in dange? eight alongside main taining seategie macleae forces a hair-egger alert, Fle estimates that very day many hundreds of Russian nuclear weapons are moving swound the countryside." Theft of one nuclear bomb “could spell ‘sent dstster foram American ety, [bu this] is nor the worssease scenario stemming from this aocleae gamesmanship.” More om my “the seine ofa ready-to-fe strategic long range macene ni sile or a group of mises capable of delivering bombs to targets "hsm of miles away could he apocalypse for entire ations.” An- her majoetheear is shar tecorst hackers might beak ino riitary ‘communication networks and eransmit launch ordets for missiles armed with hundteds of nclear watheads—nofentasy, 38 the ena son learned a fur years ago when serious defects were dvcovetd ia its safeguards, requiring, new instructions for Trident submarine launch crews. Systems in other counties are much less teliabl. Al ofthis constzates “an acident waiting to happen,” Blair writes; an acc dene chat could be apocalypi.”” “The dargers of clear warfare are conscicasly being escalated by the threat and use of violence, whieh, a5 long prediced also stim Tatng jaa rerroriem, Such teroeism aces back to Reagan admins tmaion prograns 0 organize, arm, and tein radial Islamiss—not for defense of Afghanistan, as proclaimed, but foe dae usual and oly reasons of state, with grim conssquences fr the tormented people of Afghanistan. The Reagan administration also cheerfully tolerated Pakisans slide toward rasa} Islamist extremism under dhe cule of Muhammad Zia ol Hug, one of the anny brotal dictators supported Dy the curce incense i Waskingron and their mentors. Reagae, and associates als looked away politely while cei Pakistani ally was developing sueleas weapons, annually endoning the pretense thar Pakisan ws noe doing so. They and the Ciintow adaunistraton paid litle atention while Pakstn’s lading protiferatos, naw tapped on the soit ys carrying out the word's most exteaocdinary nuclear smuggling enterprise: Abdul Qadeer Khan, who “did mace damage in 10 years than any couatry did in the ist 50 yeas of the nuclear age,” according 0 Jes Walsh exscuive director of Harvant’s Mavaging the Atoms projet." ‘Washington's aggressive militar isnot the only factor diving the race to “apocalypse soan,” but ies surly a significant one. The plans and policies fall witin a mach broader context, with 1008 g0- ing back to the Clinton yeas and beyond. Al ofehisis a the fing of public discourse, and does no enter even marginally nto electoral ‘hice, anther illustration of the deci of fanetioning democracy andits portent ‘The only threat emoesly comparable to use of auslear weapons is the seria danger of environmental catastzophe. In preparation for the July 2005 Group of Eight summit in Gleneagles, Scotland, the ‘centic academies ofall GE nations, including the US National ‘Academy of Sciences, joined those of China, Inia, and Beazil to eal fon the leaders of the ich countries to ake urgent aetion to head off this potential disaster, “The scienific understanding. of elimate change is ow sufficiently cleae vo justify prom action,” their state STARK, DREADFUL, INESCAPASLE ” ment said “It is veal tha all nations identi east etecive steps that ‘hey ean rake no, to contribute ro substantial ad long term reduc tion in net global greeshesse gas emision.” In is lead witoral, the Financial Times endorsed this “acim cal.” while deploring the fact ‘har “there is however, one bold-out anal wnforrunatly it 0 be found jn the White House where—in spite of she unprecedented staremene by the G8 scientists ahead of next month's Gleneagles suunmit-—Geurge W. Rosh, the US presiden, asses we stil do not vow enough about this Fiterlly worKl-changing. phenomenon.” Washington then “succeeded iv ramoving. language calling. for Pompe xetion to control global warming” and eliminating such in ommatory satements as "Our world i waeming,” because “Mr, Tush has said global warming i t00 uncertain a mantr to justify suyshing more than voluntaey eweasees,” The end real, the Finan ‘al Times editors cowsmene, is that lite remained beyond pias veal." Dismissal of scent evidence on mstezs of sucvival in keeping with Dash’ sionifc judgment, is routine. Ac the 2005 anal meee ing oF the American Assocation fr the Advancement of Science, “eating US climate ceseazchers...releved “the most conipeling ev sleace ye hat human activites are responsible fr global warming.” Th group predicted major climatic ees, including severe eduction in yee supplies in teins that rely on rivers fl by melting snow and plciers. Other prominent researches at the sme esion reprced ‘alee tote melting of Arctic and Greenland ice sheets is causing ‘hangs nthe se’s salinity halance that eheaten eo shut down the Ocean Conveyor Het, which transfers heat from the epics towards {he polar regions shea currents such a8 che Gulf Stream.” One possible consequence is significant temperature reduston in Eusope, Notlong after climate experts reported further shrinking ofthe polar ‘ke cap, and warned shat the long prediied “Fecdbacks inthe system ame starting to take hold” asthe enlarged expanses of open water ab- sth solar energy instead of refcting thick to space hence neceer ating the severe dhieat of global waeming. ‘The rlsse of “the most ‘compelling evidence ye.” ike the G8 warnings rseved sean Hotes ‘nthe United States, despite the attention given in the same days tothe® FAILED STATES Jmplenenation of the Kyoto protocols regulating greenhouse emis Sons, with the mos tiportaat government refusing ro cake part. Teis importa costs gonernment, The tandaed observation that the United States stood alos alone in rejecting the Kyoto protocols is correct onl i the phrase “United States” excludes its population, which seongly favors the Kyuto pact. A majority of Bash backers not ‘nly support the protocol, but aistakenly believe tha che president does a5 wel In general, vores inthe 2074 election were seriously deluded about the positions of the political partis, not because of lack of inerest or mental capacity, but because elections are carefully designed co yield that exalt, tpicco which we will return." IRAQ AND THE “WAR ON TERROR” US and UK planners. were well aware that the inasion of frag was Tikely to ineeae terra ad WMD peolifraion ss many analyst and inielligence agencies warned. CIA dsector George Tenet informed Congressin October 2002 thar invading eaq right lead Saddam Fas: sein to assist “Islamist terrorists in conducting 8 WMD attack against the United Srates:" The National Intelligence Counxil “predicted chat an American-led invasion of rag would increase support for politcal Isla ard would rsul in a dceply clvide leg society prone to vio- lent inesnal conics” hence engendering tercor seichin Iraq and worldwide, The NIC confined these expectations in December 2004, porting that “Iraq and ether possible confbits in the fucure could provide reenitment, taining grounds tecaical skills and langage proficiency foe 4 new cla of terest who are ‘professonalize?” ana for whom poiical violence becomes an end in itself.” The NIC also predicted that, as a result of che ivasinn, this new globalize nerwork Df “éiffse Islamic extremist roups” would speead its operations tlsewhere to defend Musliny lands from aetack by “infidel invades,” swith ag replacing Afghanistan a a raining ground. A CIA report of May 2005 confirmed that “Iraq has become a magnet for Islamic mi inant similar to Soviet-occupied Afghanistan two decades ago and Bosnia in the 1990s.” The CIA conchae that “Iraq may prove 19 be dan even mote effective training ground for tslamic extremists than STARK, DREADFUL, INESCAMABLE » Afghanistan was in Al Qoeda's erly days, bocause iis serving as a realeworld laboracary foe urban comb.” Tw yeats ater the inva son, a high-level goveenment review of the “wat om eeroe” affirmed ‘he same conclusion. Focusing “om how to del wich theese of sew seneration ofrerroriats, schooled in frag over the past couple yearsy the review acted: “Top government officials are increasingly turing, their attention to anccipaze what one called “th: bled ant of hu, reso thousands of rag-teainad jihadists Ick to the home cu tries throughoue the Middle East and Western Europe Tes new Picct of «new equation,’ a foemer senior Bus adeinistation oficial Suid. “f you don't know who they are ia Teng, how are you going to locate thom in Istanbal or Landon?" There is lite doube chat ee invasion of Ihaq had the elect “greatly strengthening che popalae appeal of ant-democrtic dics such as chose of al-Qaeda and her bad salts” throughoue che ‘Mastim wold, eroeial lustation i ladomia, the state with the wor’ largest Must population and likely source of jihad terror. 42000, 5 percen of Indonesians viewed Americans favorably. This ‘number fll to 61 pereent by 202 and plummets to 15 pervnt afer ‘he invasion of rag, eth 80 porcene of Indonesians saving che feared an atack by the United States, Scent Attan, a spelt 0 terror and Indonesia, reposts that “these sentiments corclae with reatiness hy ‘ver R0 perect of Indonesians ro have slam play an increasing roe in rersonal and national life, but ate also associated with tolerance fora Ivoader spectrum of co-relgionss, eluding milieat radicals, ard ‘readiness co amplify any slight aguinse an Islamic lear nation into 1 perceived attack wpa the whole Muslin work" The threae is norabstact. Shortly after the deadly bomb attacks on Lnilon’s pobic transportation sytem in July 2005, Beittn’s Royal Insitute of fntermtional Affe (Chatharn House) eleased a study ee ictaing the standard conclusions of ineligence agencies and inde- pndent analysts: “There i “m6 doobs” chat ce aasion of Iraq has “given a boost co the al-Qaida network’ fn] propaga, reertmene a fussing, wile providing aides] training area oe ror The sty found thot “che OK is at particular sk because i the elo et ally of the United States, has deployed arid forces in the itary» TAILED STATES campaigns to topple the Than regime in Afghanistan and in Teagan is} a pilion passenger” af American pic, the passe see who ides behind the driver af a moeoreyle in its review of che London hambings, Britno’s MIS intemal security sevice concluded that “thaugh they have a rage of aspications and ‘causes Iraq iso lominane issue for a tenge of extrcmistyroups and individuals inthe {Uk and Barope,” while some who have raveled o Iago fight “may Javer eur to the UK and consider mounting attacks here “The Blac government angrily denied the abvicus, though ic was soon reaffirmed when one of the sispets in the follow-up filed bombing, captured in Rome, “claimed the bomb plo was diet in sired by Britain’ involvement in che hag war” and described “how the suspects watched hours of TV footage showing riefstricken Kagh ‘wis and childsen alongside images of civilians killed inthe eon fice He alleged to have told prosecute that after watching the outages There was a tesling of hated and a conviction that it was acess to give sgnal—ro do snmesing."* Reports by an cael think eank and Saud ielligence coneled that “the vast arity” of foreign fighters in Irag "are not fore er rowits” but *becaine radicalized by the war isl,” sinned by the invasion to respond “ro calls to defend chee fellow Muslims frm “crusaders and infidels” who ate mounting “on attack: on the Mus fim religion and Arab cular.” A study by the Center for Steceg anu Inerntional Stade (CSS) found that °85 peteent of Sad ieamts winn yt to Traq were not on any goverment watch ist, al- ueila members, or terrarst sympathizers” bur were “ealicalized almost exclusively by the Coaicion invasion.” Sine the invasion, the report confi, faq has become one of the global centers for sees ment and training of extreme ("ne Sala) Klis errs lege fumibers ae Leey to recuc to thei snties of eign, carrying ter tori skis ad radicalized worldviews, gaining “publicity and cred iiley among the angey and alienated in the Islamic world,” and speeading "treorim and violence.” French incligencey which bas tang experience over many yeas, concades that “what che wa in Tag as done is radcalize these poople and make some of them pre pared wo support tecm, trv # gveat recruiting sereean,” con eributing 2 nev and “eno jihad rons in peopl to hin thar cnry of engin” 29 tolimce od revel Hard“ ‘Aighnis, in Bom, in Konno” US ofcals report that Ab Mab al Zara Al Qed tp operative in ag "is bing mone al area ihre ato ise" lacing fren RE tra wba fre tha 10 prc of he merges e™ tether a pec, SIS elses” Acronding to ere pect Per Regen, President Bash “i sight ta aq ata Fin wa orn, bhi 2 foot we crete" As the ig war has expended the fetes ras” be spor “te ea 2003 tig cee oF tant aor aac into desis thn, 200, sta inl tht mabe led.” sponse Donald Ruse searh Jor ners oki we ae wing 0 ting he war on tee Mergnsuegens chat “an exponentially ving mur of eer tks come mii come lm" Ser fie ar rere ht "Inq appa o be ply ing cea role—in ding vows ae spol nae ate ofc tack” Betcen 198004 3003 dee wee 313 suet tacks wk nly forthe wr yh ular a Tg Sins the US ivan ena of wide honbings in rag (whee sch aac wet aly wl fr} rang igh 5400 Ter roi pecan ep ha or fe rey and bec of sa Cid mire in rag” at silting imitators among Mas youth who dep he al doin hat the Mae eld is ude nck Si hey rt dee Frc NSC safes ad camer tera spa Dail Bein ad Sten Son ete at at "reed 2 nw ave fr tering heals the pec ori loess Europe athe Une re Poly that “dros “We may balck by eros wh {ved she ang f kag catch by ters who ere sped, exganiaed and ane hy people who weve nea. Revive thon am ecole Aso at rag bu i in pos seein the had and he tnt te id of urban warfare exe wi eh rsh hs Ui SegRobert Pape, who has done the most extensive stale of suicide bombers, writs thas “Al Qaeda i today ess a produce of Islamic fur damental than of a simple stategic goal: t» compel che United ‘Staes au es Western allies to withdeaw combat frees from the Ai ban Peninsula and othee Muslim countries," as Osama bin Lada 1 peatedly declares. Serious analysts have poiated out car bin Lad’ ‘wards an dees coreate closely. The ihadis organized by the Rex fan administration and its allies ended heie Afghan-based etrris| Inside Russi after the Russians withdeew from Alghanistan,thoogh they consinved it foe occupied Muslim Chechnya, the scene of shock Jngg Russian erimes dating bask to the sigeccench century. Toltoy’ novella Flodji Mudd is all 00 inely today. Bin Laden turned against the United States 1991 Becanse he tock to he cecupying the li ‘est Aral land (a fac ater cited by the Pentagon asa reson fo si ing US bases from Sau Avabia) and because Washington blocked his oct 10 join the attack agains he secular enemy Saddaey Hussein, “The jhadis alo joined the Mvlim side inthe Balkan wars, with US tolerance and assistance, tthe very same time that they were ying to blow op the World Trade Centr in 1993. An Indian stritgic analyst and former goreenment offal alloges farther cathe Loncon bombers ‘ceived ain in Bos? Ta the most extensive acholarty inguey into Islamic militancy waz Gerges conclu that after 9/11, "the dominant response to [Al Qaeda inthe Muslin world was yery hostile,” specially among. jihad, who regarded it as 2 dangerous extremist Iringe, Instead of recognizing that opposition to Al Quel oflered Washington “the snost effective way to drive nail ino its cai” by finding “intel ‘gent means to nourish aad support the intemal forces that were op posed to militant ideologies like che bin Laden network,” the Bush Ieministation did exactly what bin Laden hoped i would do: resort to violence. The invasion of lag areated strong support fr the fatwa issned by AFAzhar in Cairo, “the oldest instiation of religious higher learning i the world of Islam.” The fatwa advised “all Mus: Tims inthe word to make jihad agains invading, American foes.” Sheikh Tantaw of Ab Azhar, “one of the frst Muslim scholars co STARK, DREADFUL, INESCATARLE a dem AL Qaeds land often eriicined by ulracnosevatve clerics asa pro-Western reformer. ruled that efforts to stop the American in vasion are a “binding Islamic duty” The achievements of Bish a ministration planners ia ingiring Islamic radiaivm and tezor ate impecssive? ‘The senior CIA analyst responsible for tackiag Osim bin Laden from 19% Michael Sebeur, wes that “bin Laden has buen precise ‘elling America the reasons heis waging war on us. None ofthe re soas have anything 1 do wid our freedom, liberty, and democracy, but have everything to do with US policies and actions inthe Muslin work,” Scheuer nows that "US frees and policies ae completing the radicalization ofthe Islamic worl, semen Osama bin Laden has ‘een erying to-do with substantial but incomplete success sine che early 1990s, Asa results fro conclude that the United States ‘oF America remains hin Laden's oly inspensabl aly” From his de led study of AF Qaeda, Jason Borke draws similar conclusion “Every use of force i mother smal vietory for hin Laden,” he writes, rearing “a whole new cadre of terri” fr a “cosmic stragglebe ‘een good and el,” che vision shared by bin Laden and Bash." ‘The pattern is common. To mention another revent case, the US Isrl assassination ofthe revered quadriplegic ceric Sheikh Abmed ‘Yassin along with halfa dezen bystanders) ose a Gaza nosgne in ‘Marc 2004 fed tothe brutal murder of four US security contractors in Fallen median ectlzaton, which in een provoked the marine ‘nvasion thar killed hundreds of people and set off conllageations ‘hroaghout Tra, There is no mystery here, Unless enemies can be ‘mpletly crushed, violence tends to engender violence in response, A Winlent and destructive response to tereorism belps the “eos van uae” mobilize support ameme the far Larger constituency that ee ects ther methods but shares mach of cei esensinent and concern, 4 dynamic a fuiar to Western policy makers in the post-World Wor Il era as ir was to thee imperil predecessors, ying attention to the world lead to eoacusions tha some wok prefer tb ignore. Far better to sttike here poses abone "slamo> faycium” and denounce the “excuse makers” wi sek to understandthe res of and 9 ato ec tee pope who ain the words of New Work Tones cli Thoms cdma" she wath lev dns han tenes and i deseo Be x fone” The exer of uc deca charces rl Tring the wet epee pecs o he oi and US ar ee mcs omc The nce nv nin, noo bin Tagen "helt some pits wo ignore aga, ai cv nthe ns oath ten o suppor nese Scromlane if adverares er te andl se of ers ete may pect oerling ates to wild weapons WPrmor td mee destin Yo der Anciess ofemive et of {hi cose: hc sony oe mts fem 5 tha spr arty of vee wa i ely orig bowel {hour thar Rsh and Rie sho ayer Tha spre’ eter te sre id with ae “eanetoraon fhe on™ and decreas neo ke ween he etre) conte wea alory owen” sary expel since the Clinton year. IAQ AND FREE WORLD DEMOCRACY pe mbt te wor tpt we nai ‘vasa poe nob phew Te Une Sand Med inane gh trey hss wes ‘Siping wip fat drcon Thar tte chen” SONSSSensd teh een eens Mash 2003 east oe eed ese y Be a Wee lng tent ys WA to ke ln whch us ete conga bet re 0 {Sacer sng sn vn ge safer Seine etoges niche eet Seal lg ee ist neem eens al bears wh wecky ice ea ng he wr nas haped Plow Aero ion of ems ey Ba calle STARK, DREADFUL, t ESCAARLH ie Long afer the oficial concession shat the origi pretexts fue ine saating rao weee withoue merit, ey politiians continued to reiterate ‘thet in high laces. In January 2005, Sentersjority leader Bl rie insted ehe invasion of Feng on the grounds that “dangers weapons Drolieraion must be stopped. Tesrorist organivations must be de. stroyed.” I is apparency iealevant thatthe prtents have heen off stally abandonel and chat the invasion has increased terrorie threats val accelerced the proliferation of dangerous weepon.” Fris’s performance followed an eater strip. In the most cael review of the documentary record, national security and inceligenee analyst John Prados describes the Bush "scheme to convince America sl ehe wo hae war with faq was necessary aed urgent” 3s a case stalin government dishonesty. shacrequized patently uscue pb le statements ancl egeepios manipulation af intelligence." The plan srr knew that Iagt WMD programs "ese citer nascent, movibund, ‘oon-existent—exacty the opposite ofthe Pesidnt’s repeated mis” sae to Americans.” To eatey ut che deceprion, “actual ntelignce ‘es consistently distorted, manipulated, and ignored in service of «particular enterprise under false pretenses—a story with tremens plications for America iv the twenty-first century" —and for the world, “Americans have nor only been hoodwikei” by “George {boss game of theeecard mont,” Prados conclades, “they bave been shamed... Americans do oe like to think of themselves 3b aggre: ‘ov, but raw aggression i what took place trea,” Evidence of dest continue to accumulate. In May 2005, series of documents knovn the Downing Steet Mesos were leaked to "he Times of London, One memo zeal that cw weeks before the war ws launched, Attoeney General Load Goldsmith, Blais chief le walladvser, counseled thar “regime change canot be the objective of military ation.” Even if Beitain were to limie isl o the announced ‘objective of ening WMD programs, he wrate, it efor the [UN Se «utity| Coun assess whether any such breach of how obligations ‘as occured,” no individ states Lord Goldsmith then added that the United States ad "a eather differen views shey maintain that the fact of whether Iraq is in breach is a matter af bjetive fet which26 FAILED STATES nay therefore be assessed by individual member sears [but] Tam not aware of any other state which supports this view." He dd not have to fad thatthe plrase“isvidal member sates” efered ro Washing ton alone. The bask: content of Lord Goldsmith's pli wording was thar Britain hon! a hast make some geste toward ecognizing it ternational la, unlike che United States, which isa coe tae tha exempts ite frum such formalities. ‘The reaction «1 the leaked rmenos in the rovo countries is instrusve: the revelations provoked a staal upeoar in England, bor civ lite nrice in dhe United Sete ‘Shortly after Lol Goldsmith's commenes were made public, the London Sindy Times pubisted an official memo of a secret meting between Blair and his top advisers in fly 2002. The document showed chat che Bash ainistation had alteady decide co attack rag, well before Congress vas “hoodwinked” into authorizing free jn October 2002 and also before the UN sas invited ier to endorse Washington's plan to use vicknce ae to become “irrelevant.” British Middle East scholar Toby Dodge observed that “the documents show, that the case of weapons of mass destruction was based ort thin igllgence and was uscd to inflate the evidence to the Lee of tmendaci.” Apainy thee was considerable reaction in England 10 these revelations, bu the story was “a dud” in che Unie States, the pres obuerved, Wecks ler, when popolar pressures led to coverage, rch commientacy shifted tothe opposite mode ina familie patter: Why this hysteria feom sonspitscy theorists about what we always knew and had tl dhe public loud an clear?! This memo to Blt, Lord Golisevith also advised tha, given che sige” by invasion, t would be “nec patent criminality of “regime tosary eo creme the conn i which we cold legally suppor ail itary ation.” Secking to provoke iraq into some action that coold be portayed as 0 e4sue bell, Landon and Washingsom renewed thet bombing of lagi targets in May 2002, with a sharp increase im Sep- tember 2002. the nine months leading op ro the ofc start ofthe svar ip Marca 2003, US and UK planes flew almost 22,000 sorties, Ting 391 “carefully selected target,” noted Lieotenant General Michael Moseley, commander ofthe joint operations These lights, he STARK, DREADFUL, INESCAPABLE 7 exploined, “aid the foundavions” forthe military conquest by elimi nitng the need for protracted bomthasdens of Iraqi postions. frag vigorously procested the bomibngs tothe UN, but di not reat as London and Washington had hoped. When no casus belli ould be concocted, the reo countries invaded Iraq anyway, praclaming the single quesion.** The most impor raid of the prewar war against ag was ap ‘parently on September 5, 2002, when US and fish plas “fattened Scam iase, called H3, i Iraq)s westem desert,” Brits jout- ni Fa Flarsimar reports. “The raid had destryed military contm nations and antiaircraft defences a well as lagi planes,” be notes, hus clearing te way for the planed invasion. Tw days late, Tony iar arrived in Washing to visit Bush, Ar thse Joint press confer ee, Hl described the “extalogue of aterps by 11 conceal its weapons of mass destruction, not to tl the sruth about ie over not nist peri of months hur over a period of yeas.” Blac, while sin- corey advising the driver of the motorcycle 10 fallow the diplomatic race, knew full wall thatthe wir vis already ander way. All che wil the wo leaders were making sare cht state violence would be tre rom seri by Pane, Cogs, am he bic The pln for spikes of activity" agains aq to try to concoct & pretext for an invasion—desrihed i July 23, 2002, memo feom ‘ox policy aide Manthew Rycroft o the Bets ambaseador to the nied States, David! Manning—was the most important exlation oF ‘he Dowaing Steet Mens. The tactic 3 venerable ane. Pach ‘ol warave specialists im the Eisenhower administration advised that the Usted States should “covery sximulae acts and atitades of if ane short of mass echelon sed ar... pravoking open Soviet in rersenion in both the GDR [East Germany] an! the other satelite,” save thar was secretly accepred by the US yoverement immeclitely ser Soviet tanks eroshed mass worker protests in East Bein. A sather example ofthis tactic is Ura’ attacks on Lebanon in aly 199, seeking to provoke a response by the Palestine Liberation Orea- eation (PLO) that could be ysed asa pretext fora planned invasion, Despite failure co elicit a credible pretext, in Jane 1982 Israel2 varten STATES launched the invasion, for che parpose of blocking PLO diplomatic fects an ensuring Israel contcol over the West Bank, while posit, a client regime in Lebann, In yet another example, CIA-backed Kosovo Liberation Army guesills tacked civilian targets in Kosovo inearly 1999, opealy ansooncing that they hoped the violence would provoke 9 harsh Serbian eesponse that could then be use 1 arouse popular Western support for an attack on Serbia. fe is possible that ‘cura US military actions across Syea's borders are likewise de signed to provoke some pretext for attack on che one Arab state thar currently defying, Wasbigron's orders. "THE RANKING OF PRIORITIES: ‘TERROR AND REAL INTERESTS “The conventional eask of doctrinal manages is vo protect power a those who wield it from scruing and, most important, to defect analysis from their eaionsl planning in pursuit ofthe ral interests they serve. Discussion muse he diverted instead to noble incent and self-defense, perhaps misgsied ia the Iraq case liberation of the suf fering people of fas and defense ofthe United States agaist rrr. I is therefore necessary ro protect the detrne that Iraq would have been selected for invasion even ifthe world's energy resurces hap pened to be ia Cental Africa, Ax iF thar challenge were nor difcule fou, ethers awaited, amvang them, concealing the Western role in the dismal prewar fate of Traq 38 wel asthe consequences ofthe US UK invasion both in frag andl worldwide, which are grim, “There ae further problems, To begin wit, though twas anticipated thatthe invasion would probably sukance che threat of terran pro liferation ray hve dine vo ee in wnaatiipaed ways es common to sy thar claims about WMDs ia lag were quickly undermined when, after an exhaustive search, no traces were Foun, Tht smo uit acu rate, however There were stores of equipment for developing, WMD io nag after the invasion: chose produce inthe 1980s, thanks to ail pro vided by the United States and Briain, staang others aid that contin: cod el after Saddam's worse auociies and the end ofthe war with ran. The ad included means fr developing meses ane nucle weapons oy wel as virulent stains of anthrax ad ether biotin, be ater in ‘pparent violtion of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention ITWC), 2 seious breach of international law. The threar posed by those installations had been put forth ax one reason foe invading rag. hose sites had een secured by UN inspectors, but the vader i= wis then, Ising the ies unguaeded. The immediate consequence ‘ss sophsticated and massive looting of ches istallations, The UN in spestorscontnaed to carry cut their work, elyngon stelle imagery. 'y me 2005, they had discovered 109 sts that hd heen loccd. Most ‘eoting ys fom predaction sites for sli and igud-propellane mis ‘ies, where about 85 percent of equipment had licen removed, along. vith biecoxins an other materials usable for chemical and biological sveipons, and high-precision equipment capable of making pats foe ‘welea and chemical weapons and missiles. A Jocdanianjouroalis was ‘forme hy oficial in charge of che Fordaian-Iagi border ater US -vd UK frees cook ve thar radioactive maerals were deed in ome “ot every eight rucks crossing ito Jordan, destination vnknowa. “Saul happens,” in Rumsfeld's words The iconies are almost inexpresile. The official josicaion for {he aasion was to preven the use of WMDs tha dil not exist. The ‘noon provide che errorists who had been makilize by the United State.and i alies withthe means eo develop WMDs—namely, equip mon tha the United States and others had provided éo Sdklam Hus Son, caring nothing about the tribe crimes they later invoked t0 up support for an invasion o overthrow him eis fran were suse making nuclear wespons using fsionable materials pronided by he Usted Stas wo lan under the shah-—whish may indeed be hap Prning ts Graham Alloa points ov.” The Pentagon civilians ia charge did make sure that certain other wes were protected however: he oll and security minitries. Ese ‘where looting and destruction, inching of ereplaceble treasures of ilizaon, proceeded onconstrined. Two yesrs ater the invasion, the present of the American Academic Research Insite in ling, ‘Mackuire Gibson, sadly conired that “Iraq is lsing it culture andits wealth.” By then, ote than half the nation's archeological sites, including, most major Sumerian ones, had been destroyed, “The Americans are noe doing anything,” Gibson added, though he a: Iknowedged tere was lite help From the falism and Dutch contin gents The losses a thee sites dovatfed eve the massive losing ofthe [National Museuon shortly afte US troops arrived, in which a ast 153000 of the 20,000 looted pisces disappeared, probably foneer Rumseld, Wolfowies and Co, may even have suceeded in causing “in>reversile damage” 10 Iraq il fs. To support the invasion, the Fields “are being deven to pump more chan they should,” which might lead to “permanent decline in production.” Recall che confident pre Aizions dhac the Heraion grec with lowers would he self-ranced by booming oi production.” ‘The invasion of Iraqis perhaps the most glaring example of che low priory asigned by Washington planners to the treat of terror, It there are numerous others. casein point is Washington's impo- sition of new sanctions on Syria under che Syria Acconntaility Act, passed almos: unanivcsly by Congress and signed into Lae by Pes ‘ent Bosh i late 2003, Syria so the offical list of states sponsor ing terocimy, despite Washington's acknowledgment that Damascus thas noe been implicit in terorst acts foe many years. The true ature of Washingion’s concern over Syria's aks to terror was re Yealed by Present Clincons offer to eemove Syria from the Fist of states sponsoring teeor if Damascus agreed to US-lsrall pence terms, When Syria insisted on eeconering rersitory seized by Fsael the Clinton State Departient kept the country om the eerorisn list [Nonetheless Syria fad been highly cooperative in providing ionpor- tant inteligence to Washington on Al Qaeda and other rial Is fais groups. Impamencation of che Syria Accouncabiiry Act deprived ‘the Unie Stes of an important sousce of information about acl [siamistrercorisn, Obtaining such informaian, however, i clearly subordinate to the goal of establishing a regime in Syria thar would sccept US-lsraeli demands. Had Syria been removed from the Hist of states supporting retort woul! have been the first since 1982, when the Reagan administration removed Saddam so that they could pro- ‘de himm with substantial ad, joined by Britain ang! many others That again ells us someching abost che atitude towed terror and ‘A core demand ofthe Syeia Accountability Act refers co UN Secu ‘ity Counc Resolution 520, which calls for espest for the sover ‘gmty and tertoral integrity oF Lebanon. Syeia had definitely viola the UN resolution by keeping its forces: Lebaron —fonces ‘ha che United Seaes and Ieee! had readily accepted in 1976, when their task was vo russacre Palestinians, aed again in 1990, when the United Sears yas building a coalition to support the coming wae in Ing. This passed in silence, and Congress and the media also ng: heed to point out that the orginal Security Cosi resoltion, road in 1982, wos directed aginst Teal the only country mamed in ‘eesti. Thee was ne cll fae saetions against sel ofr te tio in the huge unconditional military and economic aid it 1e- «eves when sae violated this and other Secucty Council resolutions rojading Lebanon for twenty-two years. The principle is very clear, Malle Fast scholar Stephen Zanes writes “Lebanese soversgty must bv funded only if che occupying army is From a county the Usted Sates oppones, huts dspensabl if che county is « US ally.” Another ‘illustration of the sngle standard, oe restcted co US policy makers of ‘ne, A side observation: by a 2-1 margin, the US popution favors an Isael Accouneailty Ac, holding Irae accountable for develan- ‘ne of WMDs and human eights abuses in the occupisl estore, "hat is consistent with other seas of poi opinion, scarcely tepocted ‘hough plainly of considerable rmportance ina democratic society? Gorse the Midile Fast, t0, there ae numerous llostasions af ‘he foe privity assigned co the “war on tr.” One is the Bash a ‘iniration’satorude toward the 9/11 Commission Congres etab- {se toeeconvnend means to prevent now terri sri, “Over its span,” Philp hnon exported, “the Sep. 11 commission repeatedly lashed with the Bash aiinisestion, which had originally opposed ‘tscreaton, especially over the panel's acces co iportane White House shocuments nnd co witnesses." A year aftr its final seport was pre- vented commission members formed a hiparsian 9/11 Public Dscourse Projecs 1 presure the goverment 19 izplement it commendations ‘te prevent fetrorist attacks. The econmendatons wer largely preds FAILED STATS Paticulaely worrisome, argued Thomas Kean, who caized theofficial S/11 Commision, was the lure t make any serious effort to secure ruclear matériel, the cee element of a program to prevent che nie ‘ear terror that ineligence analysts regard 98 herwise inviabe "The prec’ epor, sued four years afer 911, *found that the Bush ‘xiministration and Congress hal made “imal” or “unsatisfactory prosiess” om eight of fourteen recommendations by the 9/11 Commie Sion “for overhauling che yowernent es deal with errors eats." Shortly before the London tain and bas hombings of July 2005, the US Senate sharply cu fanding fe cil and mass transi secusiy. ‘The 9/11 Commission had called fr a national eansporttion ses sity strategy, but that remained “among the 50 percent of the 9/11 ‘Commision specie teommendations a year ago that Cangres and Bush have yet to act upon,” Boston Globe columnist Thomas Oli ‘phant wrote, part of the unholy alianes berwoen indastry and gov fenment fo avoid taking. measures co protect against porntialy ‘catastrophic terorsm that is ao difficult ro imagine.” Tar crs for the rich rank Far higher a8. peioety than protection of the population from tector A still owe ominous example ofthe negligence in secu rity mater, Oliphant continues, ste success ofthe chemical indus fry an its "White House contacts to block tif rules requiing security upgrades at some 100 [chemical plants around dhe county.” ‘Congressional efforts “have encountered nothing but industry and al- rinistation obstacles in thoi arempts to frve a sensible approach to ‘guarding against disasters that might make 911 pale by compasson.” Sear Joseph Biden “cited a sly by the Naval Research Labora tory hat estimated that ax many a8 100,000 people ina densely popu lated area could die within 30 minutes if singe, 90-100 freight car saying chlorine were ponctured," Oliphant reported, concluding, hat “conniving between the Bash administration and is corporate bucdies” has blocked any action. The sininistation is een tying to ‘overturn a court decision supporting local ban on “shipments of the most dangerous chemicals fom certain zones around the mations cap ital All of hisillaseates howe lve the priority of preventing tera in comparison with coxporate welfare: Ti sleet an iilastration from another domwin, the Treasany Dex STARK, DREADPUL, INESCAPABLE a jprrment’s Ofce of Foreign Assets Cone] {OFAC} is tasked with in- »stgating suspicions financial tansfers, a central component of the “war on terror.” In April 2004, OFAC informed Congees that ofits 120 emplosees, four were tracking the finances of Osim bin Laden snd Saddacn sen, while almost wo dozen were enforcing the ile- sal embargo against Cuba, From 1990 49 2003, OFAC conducted hiney-three errors elated investigations that led to $9,040) in Fines snd 1,000 Cul-elated investigations that led 9 $8 milion in fines. The revelations revived the silent treatment in the Unied Stats, vhouph there wos a mention nee rato press that at te when ‘he hited States faces very teal crrosist threats in the Middle East an elsewhere, the edminisatio’s absurd and increasingly bizare ‘chesson with Cuba ismore than usta shame, is dangerows giver sion rom realty” (Santor May Baucus, deplorng dhe “suse of tax rye money" to punish Cuba The Bash administrations eel priorities are frtherlustrated by ‘handing of dhe lak ofthe name of CIA agene Valerie Plame after hr husband, Joseph Wilson, published an uoweleame eport under viningadministation charges about Iraq's alleged purchases of "el liweake™ from Niger fae its WMD program, Retired CIA agents nnurmed Congress that US iatligence gathering was damaged ot ‘nly Dy the lea Buc even more bythe adavniseation coverup, which ‘couse Micesersle damage [to] the credibility of our case officers when they uy to convince an overseas contact chat thei safety i of [pemary imporsnce to as sad Jim Marcinkowsk, a former C1A ‘ise officer: “Each time the polieal machine made up of prime-ime Putrios and parison nisaies dispay their ignorance by dxiding Va- lee Plame as a meee paper pasher, or blitling the varying degrees of coer use protect ee afer, or continuing to play partisan pol ties with eur national security, is a disevice to this county.” be ald, hac efforts to preven errors attacks. Asthe example illustrates, procecting the couary i aso far lower fririty than maintaining tight cop-down contol, in tyrannical or porate structures. The Chery Ramsfeld rain For which Bush isthe feone man hay shown repeaely that is obsessed with authority and ‘docipine The rang clique appears to have been infuriated withtheCIA's competence and unwillingness t provide the “information” ‘they required ma implement thei plas, pastcularly in trag, Onestudy hased on extensive inverviws with senior intelligence and ex intelligence ofcale describes the undistinguished Porter Goss as a “wrecking hall” who was appointed as director of the CTA eo ting the agency in line with exceurive demands, wharover the fts. Goss’ primary qualification seems eo have been his unswerving loyaley ro Bash, Dozens of senior official are repartad ro ave quit the CIA jn gust, leaving the demoralized ageny with severely diminished ce petence,particulasly with respect t the Middle East, This peculiae mixture of supreme acrogance, ute incompetence, and passion For ‘obedience fas had catastrophic consequences, quite posibly lying the groundwodk for much worse ro come." ‘Bush and Co, are even willing to sacrifice dhe “war on teror" their obsssion with torture. In oeder 0 kidnap a tervorsuspest in lkay and send him to Raypy for probable trea, the Bush adminis tration disrupted a major inquiry into the suspeer's roe in “trying co bold sterner recritment network” and "hud hadis ecruiament network with tentacles spreading throughout Eorope.”Ualian cours indicsed thirteen CIA operatives, and Kalians are farieas. Other Euro an countrcs have sila comlane about the Bush aniston ‘undermining aatiteror opeeations. "The sole conviction of a person coonceted to 9/11, Moun el Motaseade, was overturned because Bush administration offal reftsed to provide German officals with ceacial evidence. Similarly, the Bush administration “has refosed allow the Spanish authorities to interview Rar bin alShibh ce teal Queda suspect, 4 bolster cher case against two men on tial in “Matron chaepesof helping to pln the 2001 atta” on 911.8 Though the sapport ofits lis i ndigpnsabe in the war on er or, Washington “triggered tensions with alles” once agai, the Wall Sst Journal reported, when 4 Spanish couce issued incenational a= rest warrants and extradition orders for American soiers accused of| Killing a Spanish tepocteria lag, alongwith a Ukrainian cameraman. “The Spanish court acted “ater two requests to US authriies for per- imision to question the soldiers went unanswered, court fils ssid,” The Pentagon had no comment” The CIA kidaapping and rendition to Exype led eo commentary in ‘che press about the “cultual difference” between che United States ad Europe a the *war on rrrr,” adopting Robert Kagan's dims ne reference wo Baropeans as being “irom Venus,” while “Americans are fom Mars.” The soft Europeans belive in old-fashioned notions like cinta! juste and lave, The tough American just go ahead and let the job done, asin cowboy movies. Ax commentators knee, but shilfully evade ies ree thar the tough Americans pay ice stention ' riminal justice and law when dealing with tecrorits. Rather, lead- ng errors are give presidential pardons over the strong objections the Justice Department, which wants them deported on grounds of rational security (Orlando Bosch, or dispatched to mote extreme t= vorist actives (Luis Posada Carriles}, or protected fom repeated ex eatin requests chat ate simply ignored (Haitian mass murderer "rmmanuel Constan), or dismissed by the courts (Poss to mention jose few of chose engaged in “worthy teers." Tee is, 0 be sure, another conceivable category: US wtroits, & possibilty excladee by doceinl ft. The significance af Western state ‘wrrorism in Wester cule sillusteated hy the appointment of Johan Nowroponte tothe new position of direct of intlligence in change of ‘sainturterorism. Inthe Reagan-Bush administration, he was ambas- ‘odor fo Hondurse, rang the word's largest CIA stiion, not be- ‘owe of the grand role of Honduras in world affairs, but because Honduras was the prima’ US hase fr the iterations tetocst we fe which Washington was condemned by the International Cour af Jusiee and UN Security Council absent the US veto). There was wie ‘ually no easton tothe appointment of a Ieading international ter ‘rst che top counterterrorism poston inthe worl. Noe the fst ata the very sie sine, Dara Maria Télle, the heroine ofthe pope lar stele that overthrew the viious Sonora regime in Nicaragua, eax eit! a vis to teach at che Harvaed Divinpy School, She we deemed a terrorist hecause she had helped orethrow 2 US-backed tyrant and mass madree ‘Orwell would noc have known whether to laugh or weep. By 2005, Michael Lind grandly proclaimed, “The debate above the egitim of eerorism i over,” The formal en othe debate was UN