- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 210
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/06/22/1087844934222.html?
Why the US alliance no longer protects us
June 23, 2004
It may have made sense during the Cold War, but in the "war on terror" the alliance is a dangerous thing, writes Shahram Akbarzadeh.
Is the Australian security alliance with the United States helping to protect us? The answer is more likely to be no than yes.
The security alliance is a vestige of the Cold War, an era defined by a clear demarcation of friends and enemies. It is of little value in the 21st century in the face of the nebulous, yet ever-present, threat of terrorism.
Indeed, far from making us safer from terrorism, the present Australia-US alliance has entangled us in an illegal war, helped undermine international foundations of inter-state relations, damaged our international standing and identified Australia too closely with the US.
The invasion of Iraq was clearly illegal - it was an unprovoked attack and lacked the endorsement of the United Nations. As the only truly legitimate multilateral body that can bring a degree of law and order to international affairs, the UN is critical to our future and that of Iraq. Washington has now been forced to turn to the UN to sort out the mess, in a tacit admission of the enormity of the challenge. And yet, the US-led forces had no qualms about bulldozing the UN aside and dismissing its calls for measured policy as empty talk.
The Bush Administration censured the UN for its alleged failure to make difficult decisions. The UN was portrayed as spineless. Washington's choice to attack Iraq against UN advice seriously undermined the international body's authority. Australia bears some of the responsibility in this sorry affair.
The Howard Government's decision to sacrifice all at the altar of the US alliance was a blow to the fundamental rules of international engagement. The policy of pre-emptive defence, used to justify the attack on Iraq, was an arbitrary and opportunistic ploy to cover Washington's desire to rid itself of a troublesome player in the Gulf. This move was supposed to bring peace and dignity to the people of Iraq and regional stability to the Gulf. These objectives are now seriously in doubt.
The Government's decision to sacrifice all at the altar of the US alliance was a blow to the rules of international engagement.
If anything, Washington's policy of pre-emption and Australia's involvement in its implementation, have made the world a more dangerous place.
Canberra's contribution to the invasion of Iraq, albeit meagre, has consolidated Australia's position as America's junior partner. It has reinforced the image of Australia as the US deputy sheriff - an image that has done much damage to our standing in our neighbourhood.
Canberra's obsession with the US alliance has blinded it to common sense and harmed our interests in South-East Asia and the Middle East. This close identification with the US puts Australian economic, trade and security interests at risk.
The end of the Cold War signalled the end of the rigid dichotomy of friends and foes. The tragic events of September 11 and subsequent terrorist attacks underlined the new challenges of the new century.
Fixed, state-based security alliances are an outmoded mechanism to deal with the challenge of terrorism, which is far more complex than a security issue. The failure of the "war on terror" to date, is a poignant reminder of the limits of this approach.
It is time Australia faced the new challenge and looked beyond the familiar policy of relying on the US to fix our problems. We have to realise that this reliance is likely to make the problem worse.
If the security alliance with the United States not working for us, it should not be allowed to work against us.
Dr Shahram Akbarzadeh is senior lecturer in global politics at the school of political and social inquiry at Monash University
Any thoughts on this Wes?
Why the US alliance no longer protects us
June 23, 2004
It may have made sense during the Cold War, but in the "war on terror" the alliance is a dangerous thing, writes Shahram Akbarzadeh.
Is the Australian security alliance with the United States helping to protect us? The answer is more likely to be no than yes.
The security alliance is a vestige of the Cold War, an era defined by a clear demarcation of friends and enemies. It is of little value in the 21st century in the face of the nebulous, yet ever-present, threat of terrorism.
Indeed, far from making us safer from terrorism, the present Australia-US alliance has entangled us in an illegal war, helped undermine international foundations of inter-state relations, damaged our international standing and identified Australia too closely with the US.
The invasion of Iraq was clearly illegal - it was an unprovoked attack and lacked the endorsement of the United Nations. As the only truly legitimate multilateral body that can bring a degree of law and order to international affairs, the UN is critical to our future and that of Iraq. Washington has now been forced to turn to the UN to sort out the mess, in a tacit admission of the enormity of the challenge. And yet, the US-led forces had no qualms about bulldozing the UN aside and dismissing its calls for measured policy as empty talk.
The Bush Administration censured the UN for its alleged failure to make difficult decisions. The UN was portrayed as spineless. Washington's choice to attack Iraq against UN advice seriously undermined the international body's authority. Australia bears some of the responsibility in this sorry affair.
The Howard Government's decision to sacrifice all at the altar of the US alliance was a blow to the fundamental rules of international engagement. The policy of pre-emptive defence, used to justify the attack on Iraq, was an arbitrary and opportunistic ploy to cover Washington's desire to rid itself of a troublesome player in the Gulf. This move was supposed to bring peace and dignity to the people of Iraq and regional stability to the Gulf. These objectives are now seriously in doubt.
The Government's decision to sacrifice all at the altar of the US alliance was a blow to the rules of international engagement.
If anything, Washington's policy of pre-emption and Australia's involvement in its implementation, have made the world a more dangerous place.
Canberra's contribution to the invasion of Iraq, albeit meagre, has consolidated Australia's position as America's junior partner. It has reinforced the image of Australia as the US deputy sheriff - an image that has done much damage to our standing in our neighbourhood.
Canberra's obsession with the US alliance has blinded it to common sense and harmed our interests in South-East Asia and the Middle East. This close identification with the US puts Australian economic, trade and security interests at risk.
The end of the Cold War signalled the end of the rigid dichotomy of friends and foes. The tragic events of September 11 and subsequent terrorist attacks underlined the new challenges of the new century.
Fixed, state-based security alliances are an outmoded mechanism to deal with the challenge of terrorism, which is far more complex than a security issue. The failure of the "war on terror" to date, is a poignant reminder of the limits of this approach.
It is time Australia faced the new challenge and looked beyond the familiar policy of relying on the US to fix our problems. We have to realise that this reliance is likely to make the problem worse.
If the security alliance with the United States not working for us, it should not be allowed to work against us.
Dr Shahram Akbarzadeh is senior lecturer in global politics at the school of political and social inquiry at Monash University
Any thoughts on this Wes?
, but I should be able to edit within a few days now :blotto:
