AMERICA has been engaged in expensive wars during and after the Cold War but it lost all wars and this great failure shows that America could not win owing to its miscalculation or over confidence. The question is why America fought wars and then what went wrong? If we look at America’s war history it is not glorious rather it is contemptible. It seems America failed to win wars beyond its peripheries; however, it always compromised its economy and finally left the war zones with no achievement. America’s international wars were right or wrong, but they were fought at the wrong places. American policy makers may not answer or justify their historical actions. During Cold War, America’s aim was to contain its rivals –USSR and China. Korean and Vietnam wars would reduce America’s influence; China and USSR retained their supremacy.
America as a superpower lost Vietnam War, it lost economy and humanity. Twenty year Vietnam War (1955-75) killed “more than 3 million people including over 58,000 Americans, and more than half of the dead were Vietnamese civilians”. But hawkish always dominate and they always create warmongering environment. It is not untrue that hawkish have always been very close to the presidents of who never let the rationality prevail. Why were the five American Presidents involved in Vietnam War – Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B Johnson, Richard Nixon and Gerald R Ford? Certainly these Presidents were depending on their Advisors. But Finally, President Ford declared the end of the war on April 23, 1975.It is called a “million battle death” though America never forgets also never learns.
America could not defeat the USSR; let us admire the role of Afghan Mujahideen and Pakistan, both played pivotal role – America provided weapons and dollars. After the end of the Cold War America continues its policies – spread of democracy or war. In 2003 justification of war and regime change was created to attack Iraq, “it has little to do with fear of WMDs” or other pretended objectives to promote democracy. Bush Administration invaded Iraq for its demonstration effect. The core cabinet members: Dik Chiny, Rumsfeld, Collin Powell and Condoleezza Rice had dominated Bush’s Foreign Policy. Short victory in Iraq, in the heart of the Arab world, sent a signal to all states that America would stay in the region and it would be leading the world as a “world power”. American soldiers lost their lives in Iraq and President Obama decided to withdraw from Iraq, he said, “I think Americans have learned, it’s harder to end wars than it is to begin them”. Unfortunately, America failed to locate WMDs, therefore, ISIS emerged as a new menace to disturb the world peace.
The objectives of war in Afghanistan were to eliminate Al-Qaeda’s leadership and regime change – the end of Talibanization. But the rise of Taliban has compelled the American Administration to leave Afghanistan. Even the changed regime, supported by America, has failed to establish peace in the war-torn state. Those were installed in Afghanistan, President Karzai and Asharf Ghani could not survive without American support, and the changed regime is worse than the previous regime of Taliban. Seventeen years after, America has realized that it cannot defeat the Taliban- the sovereign of Afghanistan. So far the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have cost “$60 billion and over 14,000 soldiers’ lives”.
On one hand President Trump seeks peaceful withdrawal from Afghanistan; on the other hand he wants to teach Iran a lesson in the same region. His aides Bolton and Pompeo both seem to pressurize Iran. Recent tension in the Gulf is enough to provide the justification to escalate conflict. On May 13, two Saudi Arabian oil tankers were damaged near the Persian Gulf. John Bolton announced to deploy the “Abraham Lincoln carrier group to the Persian Gulf. He sends a message to the Iranian leadership –attack against the US or its partners in the region is “unmistakable” . The American assessment indicates that “Iran was likely behind the attack”. Iran has denied its involvement and the spokesperson, Abbas Mousavi, cautioned against “plots by ill-wishers to disrupt regional security”. During this tension Iranian Foreign Minister, Zarif, who met his counterpart at Beijing, said, “We consider China one of our closet partners in the world. China supports Iran’s stance against America.
Iran-China recent connection may help deescalate the regional tension. Interestingly, Trump has conveyed his advisors that he does not want war with Iran. If the American President (Trump) does not want war, then how his two Advisors, John Bolton and Mike Pompeo, could decide to go on war with Iran. Have they not learned from Iraq and Afghanistan wars? Being a student of American Studies, I must say that America never wins war, it spends huge economy, demonstrates its modern technology but without success. Afghanistan is the best lesson to learn. The new conflict or war with Iran would be more chaotic and disastrous. President Trump has said that he would send 1500 soldiers in the Middle East for “protection” against Iran. All regional actors must meet to avoid ever ending war in the Middle East or else it would be a great failure of diplomacy, dialogue and humanity.
