الجمعة، 9 أغسطس 2013

Military Adventurism Is A Term Which Mocks Reckless Actions

مرسلة بواسطة Unknown في 4:13 ص
By Nita McKinney


The use of the term military adventurism is becoming more frequent. Yet there is no single definitive meaning. Generally, it has been used to portray different types of activities where military force has been applied. Such action may mean a policy of invading countries. In another context, an eagerness to intervene militarily in foreign countries without outright war has been associated with this term. Military coups have also been seen in this light.

During the Presidential campaign in 2012 Governor Rick Perry of Texas used this term and later explained he meant using force where no vital interests were at stake. President Yoweri Museveni, in his address to the heads of states during the Non Aligned Movement summit, criticized the adventurist aggression of western countries. He said this aggression was to reimpose hegemony over developing countries. In Ghana it this expression was used to describe a history of coups.

The types of activity that fall within this description have led to further problems. In light of hindsight, a wasteful exercise is often the result if such action. Take for instance the present friendly relations of the US and Vietnam. Not long ago, they were engaged in a bitter and damaging conflict. Meanwhile civilians in Vietnam are still suffering grievously from the pollution of their habitat by Agent Orange used to clear dense forests during combat operations.

While Russia and the US have cordial relations in the present day, they were antagonists in a Cold War that began after the end of World War II. In order to push the Soviets out from Afghanistan, Americans trained proxy warriors. These included Islamic extremists who later founded Al Qaeda. After the Russians were pushed out, they turned their sights on the Americans. Former allies have now become bitter enemies in a growing conflict between state and non state actors.

The world would have been better off the United States had never intervened in Afghanistan. How much more peaceful it would have been if it had been spared the spreading poison of Al Qaeda and sympathizers. Interventions in Iraq, Libya and Syria have all seen Al Qaeda and its sympathizers become powerful actors that reek for years to come. Iraq and Pakistan are still suffering and now Libya has joined this club. Libyan arms have spread to Mali where Islamic militants forced France to intervene to push back advances in Mali, a former French colony.

An unhappy result is the need for surveillance on a huge scale to catch elusive Muslim extremists. When this information was revealed millions of people were greatly dismayed both within the country and outside it. Foreigners changed their impression of the country in a negative way. Many wondered how the ideals enshrined in the Bill of Rights could be set aside. America paid a dear price for being too eager to dislodge a rival, one with whom relations would change over time.

Military coups have hindered institutional development in affected countries. Turkey, Pakistan, African countries and Egypt have been victims of such ill advised interference more than once. As militaries are not trained to govern, national development suffers. As shown in The Act of Killing, a new documentary about an unpleasant time in Indonesia, the scars are not easily erased.

Military adventurism is a phrase that shows disrespect for the eagerness of military interventions. As the world becomes an increasingly troubled place it is a fitting description for the type of action that often causes needless harm. Peaceful solutions are more constructive in the long run.




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