A New Century of Colonial War?
an article by David Adams

What are the effects of the US invasion of Iraq? Not trusting the US mass media, I read the world reactions reprinted in the French media of April 10-17 during a recent trip through Paris, including Le Monde, Le Monde Diplomatique, Courier International and Jeune Afrique. Here's what I found (my translation from the French originals).

The most devastating critiques came from Moscow. Writing in Trud, Alexandre Tsipko said "we have entered into a century of war for a new colonial order." And writing in Novaya Gazeta, Boris Kagarlitski describes the Homeland Security Act as the American KGB: "just like ancient Rome the country is changing from a republic to an empire."

Reports from the press in Islamic countries suggest that a global war has just begun. Algeria: "It is sure that it is the Arab regimes that will be the big losers of this war ... the jihadists will be reinforced." Morocco: for the June elections the Islamists are gaining because "the war in Iraq has radicalized public opinion." Jeune Afrique: "From Amman to Casablanca, Arabs have turned off their televisions, finding the Iraq war insupportable ... an Arab September 11." Egypt: "At one time America was our dream. Now it is the source of evil on the planet earth." Indonesia: "Profiting from the Iraq war, the Hizbat Tahrir movement for an Islamic State has extended its network nationwide" demonstrating with the slogan "Down with the United States!" Russia: "The Grand Mufti [Muslim leader] of Russia calls for a jihad against the US." Pakistan, "As a result of the iniquitous war against Iraq, the Islamists gave gained ground and would win an election if held tomorrow." Pakistan and Afghanistan: the Taliban have reinforced their ranks and regained confidence to challenge US authority in Afghanistan. The top French investigative judge on terrorism: The attack on Iraq gives Bin Laden his best recruiting tool. Le Monde: The US invasion can only destabilize the region. Radical regimes will be further radicalized. Islam fundamentalists will challenge the other regimes.

DISCUSSION

Question(s) related to this article:

Have we entered a Third World War?


Shouldn't the US and Britain leave Iraq now?


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IRAQ

Latest reader comment:

The U.S wants to construct a model 'liberal' state in Iraq, geared toward satisfiying all our political and economic needs in the Middle East. The argument is that, if we pull out now, there will just be a void waiting to be filled by fundamentalist islam, terror, etc.

It's partly the failure of the peace movement to suggest a comprehensive and viable alternative to military occupation. Although, I'm sure someone's working on this somewhere...

This report was posted on April 28, 2003. The moderator is Joe.

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