#4
Trud
No. 40
March 2003
[translation from RIA Novosti for personal use only]
THE PRICE OF GEORGE BUSH'S DEMOCRATIC CRUSADE
By Alexei PUSHKOV, member of the presidium of the Foreign and
Defense Policy Council

President George Bush Jr. of the United States has voiced his country's determination to bring democracy to the people of the Middle East. This statement is rather puzzling. On the one hand, this seems quite logical after the September 11, 2001 shock. Regional democratization alone can save America from possible attacks involving mass-destruction weapons on the part of Islamic terrorists. On the other hand, these plans are absolutely impracticable because, apart from Iraq, the United States would also have to fight Iran, Syria and Libya, also changing the Saudi Arabian regime.

Moreover, the relevant Afghan-democratization experience shows only too clearly that such democratization boils down to Kabul alone, where foreign troops are deployed; meanwhile the rest of Afghanistan is controlled by field commanders. As a matter of fact, most Afghans have never heard anything about democracy. Afghanistan has still failed to provide an inspiring example of freedom (that was mentioned by President Bush last week) to the Moslem world.

The situation seems to be the other way round. Small wonder, Afghan leader Hamid Karzai has especially addressed the UN, calling on the United States not to forget about Afghanistan during its hunt for Saddam Hussein. It should be mentioned in this connection that not a single problem has been solved in post-war Afghanistan; moreover, the incumbent Afghan government is propped up by Western troops alone.

Meanwhile Bush's statement should not be perceived as a mere verbal "smoke-screen" for justifying the war against Iraq. The situation is more serious than one may think. US neo- conservatives, who have now virtually taken over, believe that the so-called establishment of democracy all over the entire Arab world is the main pre-condition for ensuring US interests in the Middle East.

However, no democracy will be established there because no pre-requisites exist in that region. Still this doesn't matter; most importantly regimes hostile to the United States should apparently be overthrown and replaced with more friendly governments instead. Rightist conservatives, who used to be just an important ideological-political phenomenon not so long ago, are now backed by 35 million "born-again Christians." This formidable confession, which encompasses most of America's conservative elite, is ready to spread its influence far beyond the United States. "Born-again Christians" are sure that the United States preaches justice. They also think that God is with them. This branch of Christianity is no less aggressive than radical Islam.

The university of Michigan has analyzed conservative- religious moods in the United States with astonishing results. It turns out that America is much closer to such countries as India, Turkey, Indonesia and Iran in terms of its fundamental religious values than to such countries as, say, Germany or Russia. US rightists are now advocating a democratic crusade in the Middle East; however, this projected crusade is nothing but a Christian version of the war against infidels. In other words, one should fight the enemy, while praising the Lord. This is one of the reasons why Europe doesn't like such calls very much.

This is not the most important thing, some people may say. Pragmatic US interests count first. Washington wants to overthrow Saddam and to establish control over Iraqi oil. Moreover, the United States wants to reduce global oil prices, also sending out a clear message to Syria, Libya and other Arab countries. America also wants to enhance its strategic positions in this region, spurring its sluggish economy as a result of victory.

Still one should keep in mind that missionary work is quite dangerous. Would-be crusaders, as well as holy-war advocates, always perceive their goals as something more important than reason. Where will this new crusade lead America? The US Administration is now sure that America can't be defeated. Such confidence is based on the experience of wars in Yugoslavia and Afghanistan. However, this time the White House wants to accomplish a much more ambitious objective. Bush is calling on God; still God alone knows the price that the world would have to pay for this "democratic crusade."

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