On Regime Change

250 Years ago our forefathers established a unique form of democratic governance where the people, in essence, would rule, adhering to the doctrine of equality and justice. It took another 100 plus years and a civil war for all of us to be included in that promise. Since then America has grown into a major world power with a valued culture, a dynamic economy, a dominant military and a global political power, all of which has made us the envy of the world. 

For too long we have come to believe that what has worked for America so well must also be the best for everybody. And yet when we survey the world community of nations we find there are glaring and growing gaps between many of us in too many critical areas, like primary education, health care, and infrastructure. We don’t have a monopoly on good ideas, and others are besting us in too many important fields. And yet we have often pursued policies intended to “reform” other countries. For sure, there are many places where regime policies are indeed corrupt, self-serving and inhumane. We don’t like that but where do we draw the line between assisting the needy and endless, unwanted interference? 

One of our major proclivities, of which we are justly proud, is our genuine concern for the plight of man wherever he or she may be, but, unfortunately, that has led us to actions that often infringe on the sovereignty, and preferences, of other independent nations.

While our intentions may indeed be noble, our approach in many cases is ill conceived, counterproductive and downright faulty.

We should applaud President Trump’s recent proclamation that American will no longer attempt to coerce others to establish a governing system that we believe is best for them. At last, we seem to have learned a costly and painful lesson from the failed attempts at regime change in Iraq, Afghanistan and other places.

While most countries welcome our help, they do not welcome our interference and certainly not our presence. We have failed to understand that. Take the Middle East for example: Over many centuries that part of the world has been beset by countless invasions and occupations – – –  the Persians, the Mongolians, the Crusaders, the Ottoman Turks, the post WWI European colonizers – – –  suppressing local expression, culture and progress. When Osama Bin Laden emerged on the world stage at the first Gulf war when Iraq invaded Kuwait, he had thee demands 1. No foreign presence to solve Arab issues. 2. No foreign troops on Saudi holy land. 3. Resolution of the Palestinian issue, where he saw the establishment of Israel as a foreign invasion and occupation of Arab lands. All three grievances were about unwanted foreign presence.

High marks for Trump’s new policy. We will encourage peaceful progress as countries take charge of their own future and their own people, and hopefully, evolve into peaceful, progressive, contributory members of the international community – – – but at their own pace and in their own unique way.

– – – – Just the view of a common man.