(4) The total number of American tanks for liberating Kuwait was more than 2000, while the total number of tanks for occupation of the country (which logically should be higher) was only 200.
The only thing that was the same was the presence of the British, which meant to Iraqis, that their forces were there to stay and steal the oil. With people like Chalabi leading the way and Halliburton getting the contracts, it was natural that every Iraqi would be suspicious of Americans.
At that moment in time, there was a need for Bush to rise to the occasion and travel from capital to capital to make peace with Iran and Syria. Yet, he deepened the divide, causing the coalition of American friends and allies to shrink, and the rest of the world to unify against Americans.
The moderate government of Ayatollah Khatami in Iran was replaced by the government of Ahmadinegad, Sunni governments giving support to insurgents who target Americans, and an Iranian government electing a puppet government in Iraq.
Bush's flip flops:
When Ahmadi Negad got into office a joke began to circulate around Tehran: "Now, the world has two Bushes, the one in Iran is the crap, the one inWashington is the stench."
Ironically, they managed to live up to their reputation. Ahmadi Negad's rhetoric is famous and there is no need to repeat it. However, G W Bush's flip flopping is simply too crazy to ignore.
From the beginning of his administration, most people familiar with Iranian politics were advising him to try to mend the fences and start the process of normalizing relationships with Iran. The Swiss ambassador to Iran drafted a letter outlining the process of normalizing the relationship. The letter included Iran's offer to recognize Israel. The letter was authorized by Iran and was sent to the U.S state department, without a signature, to leave room for denial.
Anybody familiar with Middle Eastern politics would have jumped at the opportunity, but the Bush and Cheney team did not respond, and although after 9/11 Iran helped the U.S in toppling the Taliban, they called Iran a part of Axis of Evil and talked about regime change. The response from Tehran was the shift of power to hard liners, revolutionary guards, and acceleration of the plan for the bomb.
These days, Bush's posture towards Iran changes like a babies diaper. Bush has lost his credibility and popularity. He is totally confused in dealing with Iraq .The new Congress does not want a war with Iran, so he ends up sending every ship in the navy to the Persian Gulf, and then offers direct negotiation. The Shiites of Iran, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon are more powerful than before. The Sunnies of Saudi Arabia, Jordan and UAE are frightened of their own unpopular government, and even Tony Blair looses his office for being Bush's friend.
Let's finish the article with these two little stories showing the difference between those who win wars and those who loose.
1) When Alexander had conquered Persia and India and was returning to Persepolice in a desert called Mokran, two-thirds of his army died of thirst, yet a few soldiers managed to climb a mountain and get snow to bring back. They gave the ice cold water to Alexander to drink; he poured the water on the ground and said he would not drink until there was enough water for everybody to drink.
(2) George Bush has been to Baghdad twice; the first time was the Thanksgiving before 2004 election-- a photo-op in the middle of the night for two hours. The next year, after he had won the election and he did not go to Baghdad, reporters asked him how come he was not going there. He said,
"They are doing well. They do not need me"
The only thing that was the same was the presence of the British, which meant to Iraqis, that their forces were there to stay and steal the oil. With people like Chalabi leading the way and Halliburton getting the contracts, it was natural that every Iraqi would be suspicious of Americans.
At that moment in time, there was a need for Bush to rise to the occasion and travel from capital to capital to make peace with Iran and Syria. Yet, he deepened the divide, causing the coalition of American friends and allies to shrink, and the rest of the world to unify against Americans.
The moderate government of Ayatollah Khatami in Iran was replaced by the government of Ahmadinegad, Sunni governments giving support to insurgents who target Americans, and an Iranian government electing a puppet government in Iraq.
Bush's flip flops:
Ironically, they managed to live up to their reputation. Ahmadi Negad's rhetoric is famous and there is no need to repeat it. However, G W Bush's flip flopping is simply too crazy to ignore.
From the beginning of his administration, most people familiar with Iranian politics were advising him to try to mend the fences and start the process of normalizing relationships with Iran. The Swiss ambassador to Iran drafted a letter outlining the process of normalizing the relationship. The letter included Iran's offer to recognize Israel. The letter was authorized by Iran and was sent to the U.S state department, without a signature, to leave room for denial.
Anybody familiar with Middle Eastern politics would have jumped at the opportunity, but the Bush and Cheney team did not respond, and although after 9/11 Iran helped the U.S in toppling the Taliban, they called Iran a part of Axis of Evil and talked about regime change. The response from Tehran was the shift of power to hard liners, revolutionary guards, and acceleration of the plan for the bomb.
These days, Bush's posture towards Iran changes like a babies diaper. Bush has lost his credibility and popularity. He is totally confused in dealing with Iraq .The new Congress does not want a war with Iran, so he ends up sending every ship in the navy to the Persian Gulf, and then offers direct negotiation. The Shiites of Iran, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon are more powerful than before. The Sunnies of Saudi Arabia, Jordan and UAE are frightened of their own unpopular government, and even Tony Blair looses his office for being Bush's friend.
Let's finish the article with these two little stories showing the difference between those who win wars and those who loose.
1) When Alexander had conquered Persia and India and was returning to Persepolice in a desert called Mokran, two-thirds of his army died of thirst, yet a few soldiers managed to climb a mountain and get snow to bring back. They gave the ice cold water to Alexander to drink; he poured the water on the ground and said he would not drink until there was enough water for everybody to drink.
(2) George Bush has been to Baghdad twice; the first time was the Thanksgiving before 2004 election-- a photo-op in the middle of the night for two hours. The next year, after he had won the election and he did not go to Baghdad, reporters asked him how come he was not going there. He said,
"They are doing well. They do not need me"
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
