12
street roots
Aug. 19, 2011
USA: United Saviors for All, whether they want it or not
BY THOMAS VINCENT
initiatives that “require the United States to
maintain a global military presence, to
fter reading a few chapters of
configure its forces for global power
“Washington Rules,” it might seem
projection, and to counter existing or
X JLmystifying why itoauthor is not more
anticipated threats by relying on a policy of
of a rising star in Washington politics. Andrew global interventionism.” In other words, not
Bacevich is so knowledgeable about his topic
only do those in power feel it is America’s job
— history and political science — so
to be the world’s police force, it is our
analytically solid in his reasoning and so
manifest destiny to have the world’s biggest
articulate, it seems a wonder that he has not
S.W.A.T. team.
been tapped by some administration or other
Bacevich supports his thesis with copious
to serve as a foreign policy advisor or even an
examples from recent history. From covert
assistant cabinet official. After finishing the
C.I A . operations such as the 1953 coup
book, however, the mystery resolves itself.
d’état that removed Iran’s Prime Minister
The reason Bacevich remains a lowly college
Mohammad Mosaddegh, to the Cold War, the
professor is because he persists in exposing
Vietnam War, three wars in the Middle East
troublesome, inconvenient facts that few in
and now to today’s saber rattling over
Washington even want to acknowledge, much
attacking Iran. The author makes a strong
less discuss seriously.
case that, even under supposedly moderate
( For example, in commenting on President
presidents such as Jimmy Carter and Bill
Barack Obama’s choice of advisors, the
Clinton, U. S. foreign policy has been an
author writes: “By retaining Robert Gates as
uninterrupted one — one of less butter and
defense secretary and by appointing retired
more guns — lots more guns.
four-star officers ash is national security
As the author points out, even today this
adviser and intelligence director, Obama had
credo is ever-present in American politics. “It
already offered Washington assurances that
permeates speeches, state papers, and official
he was not contemplating a radical departure
cerem onies.... Mainstream Republicans and
from the existing pattern of national security
mainstream Democrats are equally devoted to
policy.” Furthermore, “Obama wanted it
this catechism of American statecraft”
known that by sending tens of thousands of
Bacevichfollows this observation with a
additional troops to fight in Afghanistan his
typically acerbic aside: “Little empirical
own-administration was carrying on the work
evidence exists to demonstrate (the creed’s)
his predecessors had begun. Their policies
validity, but no matter: When it comes to
were his policies.”
matters of faith, proof is unnecessary.”
The crux of the book is the author’s cogent
As an historian, the author isn’t interested
observation that since the end of World War
in pointing fingers and assigning blame,
II, United States foreign policy has adhered to however. The book devotes few pages to
a rigid and orthodox set of principles - what
expounding on whether this president
he calls the “Washington Rules.” When it
blundered or that one succeeded. Instead,
comes to international politics, Bacevich
“Rules” seeks to illustrate the surprising
asserts, the American government has largely degree to which power elites in Washington .
held firm* to a credo that “summons the
have given unquestioning support for a
1 ilit? 'United
TTffltfSrisUcTTnTerverrEiorusTTorS^rrpoR^y-
"
— to, lead, save, liberate, and ultimately
despite Jthe almost complete lack of evidence
transform the world.” Most importantly,
that the policy even comes close to its stated
adherence to this credo has remained
objective: namely, to keep the United States
inviolate regardless of which party has been
and the world safé.
in power.
If the book has one flaw, it is th a t after
According to Bacevich, this belief has
spending 250 pages raising questions as to
resulted in a “sacred trinity” of strategy
the efficacy and validity of the “Washington
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
A
ZA
Washington
Rules: America’s
Path to
Permanent War
By Andrew
Bacevich
Rules,” here’s the most forceful call to arms
Bacevich can muster: “If change is going to
come, it must come from the people. Yet
unless Americans finally awaken to the fact
that they’ve been had, Washington will
continue to have its way.” Compare that to
Thomas Paine’s: “These are the times that
try men’s souls,” and it is clear that Bacevich,
While a well-spoken historian, is no great
orator.
That minor criticism aside, “Rules” is a
fascinating book and definitely a worthwhile
investment for
anyone interested in
foreign policy,
"Rules" seeks to illustrate
history, warfare,
economics or any
the surprising degree to
other area related to
which power elites in
government It is
Washington have given
easy to read, well
researched and
unquestioning support for a
raises tons of
m ilitaristic, interventionist
awkward questions
foreign
policy despite the
about the direction
almost complete lack of
this country is
headed. It begs
evidence that the policy even
answers from those
comes close to its stated
in the halls of power.
objective: namely, to keep
Last year,
President Barrack
the United States and the
Obama invited nine
world safe.
prominent historians
to dinner at the
White House. It was
billed as an opportunity for them to tell him
how they thought he was doing and what he
might do differently. After reading Bacevich’s
book, I think it a crime the Boston University
professor was not one of those invited. Not
that he was exactly waiting by the phone for
the president to call. As the author notes
somewhat philosophically, “Although
nonconform ists always exist. th e v rare ly ........
matter — a dictum that applies to American
statecraft no less than to theology or any
Other pursuit that rests on faith rather than
empirical evidence.”
Originally published by Real Change News,
Seattle, Wash.
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