The dangerous diplomacy

“Bias and Blunder are bane to the world peace.”

For decades American citizens have been brainwashed and misguided with the word “terrorists” when they should have been educated and informed not only about the Middle East, its culture and traditions, but also about the United States foreign policy in the region.

No doubt, the word "terrorists" is scary, their actions are uncivilized and it brings fear and horror to our minds. But repeating the word is also a convenient shortcut used to deceive a nation by ignoring the facts of history, denying the blunders of Western leaders and simply labeling people when they stand up to defend their rights.

We know that no one is born terrorist or criminal. It is when one’s cry for justice is ignored that one’s actions take turn for disaster and even self- destruction.

Perhaps it is time Americans ask their leaders: "How long we can continue this dangerous diplomacy of bias and blunders combined with arrogance and ignorance and how many more Americans and others have to be sacrificed for us to learn that this lopsided policy in the Middle East is like waiting for a time bomb to explode?"

For decades Israel has enjoyed her marriage with the United States, their alliance and allegiances are proudly announced by most American presidents and recently by President Bush. Any criticism against Israel is a sin, for which one must apologize or he'll be labeled Anti-Semitic.

Unfortunately, the product of this marriage has been decades of animosity and bloodshed in the region. Israel has been supported and funded unconditionally by the United States with no wisdom as what will happen next.

On the other hand, one by one, the Middle East countries are destroyed, manipulated to become the United States puppets, or have been degraded and isolated in the name of "terrorists" regardless of ramifications on the citizens of those countries.

September 11th events happened with the participation of fifteen Saudi citizens out of the nineteen participants. But, Saudi families were the first to go home when no plane was permitted to fly out of United States.

Shortly after, Iran was added to the “The Axis of Evil” list.

The same evil manifested by the United States and the United Kingdom, changing Iran’s destiny for a long time to come.

Israel’s only response to the recent killing in Lebanon, the massacre in Qana and other atrocities is, “Sorry, it was a mistake, we will investigate.” They have the green light and the dream to be the power in the Middle east and why not? This kind of behavior by Israel is approved by the United States and it has not only outraged the world’s community but also damaged America’s image even further.

How much and how long Americans have to sacrifice as a result of this marriage?

Americans must choose their position in the world diplomacy. Either they should follow the ideology of isolationism and mind their own business which they have plenty to attend to. Or if they claim to be leaders of the free world they must treat the world fairly and prevent more conflicts and bloodshed.

Unfortunately they have done neither especially with the recent administration.

Since the inception of Israel, Americans have spoiled one child at the expense of all other siblings for their political purposes. It is just natural that all other siblings are resenting the brat.

The billions of dollars that goes to build Israel’s arsenal every year can be used wisely and evenly to bring peace and prosperity to the region.

This is the way that Americans can bring democracy to the region if their intentions are honest and democratic.

It is not that Middle East is incapable of having a democracy, but when one doesn’t have home, food, shelter and security, one does not think democratic, one feels angry, rebellious and destructive. This is how the U.S. turns good people to what it calls "suicide bombers" and "terrorists".

Any act of aggression by any "radical" faction or group is not condoned by a civilized society, but aren’t these behaviors really reactions to decades of despair and deprivation?

The United States, as the leader and the super power could have used her position more effectively resolving the Middle East problem long ago. All it needed was a wise and fair diplomacy. Regretfully, it has just done the opposite and for so long.

Those of us who speak up are devoted to real peace and we are not anti-Semitic. Rather we are vying for an evenhanded, unbiased diplomacy and a lasting peace. And those who are hiding behind the politically correct attitude are the number one enemy of the U.S. and the world peace.

For decades Americans have enjoyed economic prosperity and flow of oil at the expense of Middle East people, nations originally richer in culture, resources and intellect than Americans and yet they have the audacity to call them "Third World", "fanatics", and "terrorists".

The U.S. plants puppets and deposes them as it desires, for its own economic and National Security interests, and then when things go wrong it just forgets about the people of those countries and simply isolates them, labeling them "terrorists".

The U.S. policy makers preempt war on Iraq- disregarding the world’s opinion- destroying its infrastructures, creating "insurgency" and civil war and then have the audacity to say, it is their country, they should rebuild it!

What business the Americans had to destroy it in the first place and why should the U.S. soldiers die to fulfill the dreams of the bullies?

It is an insult to America's intellects that all these blunders are for National Security or for bringing Democracy to the Middle East.

Have Americans really given up thinking?

Americans must claim the great image they once enjoyed.

The world and its citizens are not different from a family structure. As the family needs wise and fair parents to teach, guide and discipline, so does the world.

The world is in a very precarious state and all we need is wise and capable leaders who genuinely wish to bring peace and justice in the world by practicing a wise and workable diplomacy.

by Zoe Rastegar