By John Tait
Barack Obama has done it again. Less than one month into his Presidency, he has managed to upset both his foolish “anti-war” base at home and the more astute Muslim people abroad. The former mistakenly believed that “change” was forthcoming while the latter recognized that Obama was indifferent from his predecessors.
On his fourth day in office, Obama authorized “strategic” bombs in Northwest Pakistan. Later in the week he appeared on Al-Arabiya television to declare that “Americans are not your enemy” despite stating that we will continue to support Israel: An impossible balancing act according to most Muslims.
Then, on February 17th, the President pledged 17,000 additional troops to Afghanistan. Obama declared, “This increase is necessary to stabilize a deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, which has not received the strategic attention, direction and resources it urgently requires.”
The commander in Afghanistan, General David McKiernan, has requested an additional 30,000 troops in addition to those pledged on Tuesday. According to inside sources, the increase is likely to be granted by the President.
Further examination of the statements from members of the newly formed Executive Branch suggest that strengthening U.S. military presence in Afghanistan could be a precursor to war with Iran.
White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel has been calling Iran a “threat” for years. This should come as no surprise. Emmanuel volunteered with the Israeli Defense Forces in 1991 prior to engaging in a political career in which he aids Israel at the expense of his native land.
Likewise, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has stated, “U.S. policy must be clear and unequivocal: We cannot, we should not, we must not permit Iran to build or acquire nuclear weapons. In dealing with this threat … no option can be taken off the table.”
Solidifying U.S. presence in Afghanistan is critical to war with Iran. It is part of a U.S. strategy to surround the enemy before fighting begins. The U.S. currently has 13 military bases in Iraq, including one on Iran ’s Western border. South of Iran a functioning military base already exists at Bahrain. The objective of surrounding Iran from the east will be satisfied if operations are successful in Afghanistan. That leaves setting up bases north of Iran. Since at least 2005, the U.S. government has been seeking permission to do so from the government of Turkmenistan.
The establishment of bases surrounding Iran proves an obvious intention to launch a major attack in the future. While war with Iran may not be immediate, it is certainly imminent.
It is in our interest to avoid war and conflict throughout the world, which is impossible while alliances are kept with nations not blessed as we are with the fortune of good geography. Geography, after all, is the reason for our involvement in the Middle East .
The nation of Israel, which uses the United States as its bodyguard, is surrounded by people and nations which despise their very existence. Government was created to protect us from enemies. Those observing its current actions are certain to notice its intention to create enemies. We have lost thousands of lives, spent trillions of dollars, established dozens of functioning military bases, and created enemies by the hundreds of millions. While that may benefit Israel, what have we achieved for ourselves?
The change sought by many Obama voters does not look promising nearly a month into his Presidency. However, that should leave no one surprised. While Obama received the praise of the media and support of most anti-war voters, a more authentic legislator garnered the votes, campaign contributions, and enthusiasm of the more informed citizens.
Congressman Ron Paul first won election to the House of Representatives during the Gerald Ford administration and has served on and off since. During that time, he has avoided voting for any of the countless and unnecessary conflicts in which the United States is constantly engaged.
While Obama disapproved of entry into war with Iraq from the comfort of his state Senate seat in Springfield, Paul was the most passionate opposition voice in Washington. Obama voiced an opinion which pleased his colleagues and constituents. Paul, on the other hand, took the difficult, yet important stand against international Zionism from the halls of Congress as one of only six Republican Congressmen to vote against the Iraq War Resolution.
Obama took the easiest path to temporary power as a State Senator. However, to obtain the Presidency he needed the help of those more concerned about Israel’s well-being than our own. When the moment was right, he quietly changed his position.
We have once again elected a President who puts American citizens in harm’s way for the benefit of a foreign state. Congressman Paul, on the other hand, took the road less traveled. Perhaps we should have done the same.
John Tait is a freelance writer from Glenview , IL . He recently published his first book, Plain Truth.