Subject: John Chuckman's Piece
From: Ganga Prasad Rao
Reply-To: gprasadrao@hotmail.com
To: editor@countercurrents.org
Cc: gprasadrao@hotmail.com
Dear Sir/Madam,
'America Has Just Lost Two More Wars' is a thought-provoking article
though poorly-written. Even a layman understands that deeper issues are
at stake. The war against Iraq and Afghanistan is a war against drugs,
against terrorism, and as the Pentagon will attest to, a war for
geopolitical dominance in the world of oil. In an earlier email, I have
already alluded to the grand design behind suppressing oil and gas
production from Iraq. The American presence in these states also serves
as a police station to monitor rogue states - Pakistan, Iran - and the
newly independent states lest American oil interests are jeopardized.
(But, as climate change accelerates, is there any logic to securing
resources that are likely worth less in the future? Are we to interpret
the American presence in this region as its intention to persevere with
fossil fuels for the coming decades and centuries? A scary thought
indeed!)
I also believe it is unfair to criticize Bush for what is perceived at
large as a foreign policy that has gone terribly awry. Surely, it is the
broader leadership - the VP and other Republican aides, the democratic
leadership, the Pentagon, top thinktanks - who must share in the
responsibility and blame. One wonders whether the military has a say in
these matters at all? And what about the G8 (or is it G10 now?) and
international organizations? There opinions must count too. They too are
at fault for permitting the impasse to continue and worsen.
More philosophically, much as I admire the US for its resolve to root
out terrorism, I fear that it will be terribly costly both in terms of
resources and lives to engage in this futile war. Hasn't anyone examined
the causes for and behind terrorism? Perhaps it is time Western society
recognizes religious states and the motivation for religious wars. What
do they seek? Where will they compromise and in return for what? There
must be scope for mutually beneficial deals if not common ground.
Personally, I feel that economic cooperation, friendship, tact and
diplomacy will win the day where tanks and sophisticated satellite-based
electronic warfare don't!
Am I making sense at all? Perhaps I miss the point entirely?.
ps: Perhaps wars are fought and terrorist acts occur to shore up the
bond market! Inflation-protected bonds? No Thank You! Give me
terrorism-protected equities. Anyday!
--
Ganga Prasad G. Rao
Aparna 19 New, 30 Old Janakiram Colony
Arumbakkam, Chennai 600106
044-24754691
gprasadrao@hotmail.com
http://myprofile.cos.com/gangar
