Answer to Harrak re Chavez, Bolivia and Iran

Submitted by Mark (United Arab Emirates), Mar 18, 2006 at 11:44

Chavez is no friend of the US he is a friend of Cuba and Castro.
Bolivia has a new president that is leftist leaning.
Perhaps they feel some solidarity with Iran in thumbing their nose at the US.
Many might find this kind of thing attractive and 'go for the underdog' as it were.

The other thing to consider is that the US is the one and only world superpower. Regardless of their actions superpowers find themselves attracting enemies. This is just the nature of politics and has a lot to do with envy .

For example the Ottoman empire was not particularly popular in well lets face it, anywhere else but what is now Turkey and not popular in the Eastern regions of what is that country either.

The Iranian government has made it a political article of faith to oppose the USA. This is a common ploy by populist governments to try to unite the population against a supposed enemy by demonising that enemy. The tyrants in Iran need the USA to hold up as the evil great satan so that they can control their population. Iran's government is the spiritual successor of Ayatolla Khomeni who systematically dismantled developing Iranian society, murdered much of the educated class and thrust that country back into the dark ages. Being demonised by Iran is hardly something to be ashamed of..

Iran is a country which is willing to put its people and the whole region in peril with jingoist posturing and thumbing its nose against the entire United Nations. Much of the current opposition to Iran's nuclear program comes from Europe which has openly fallen out with the US on foriegn policy related to the Middle East.

The US administration is far from perfect. Some would also say far from competent. It could also be accused to making things worse with some of its actions. However, its citizens will have a chance to rectify that at the next election. American citizens are protected by a constitution that elevates individual right over those of any demogogue.

The US influence in the world has to wane with the growing economic power of India and China. It's sole superpower status cannot remain forever or even for long some might say. But before you start cheering at that thought perhaps you should contemplate a world which is more and more dominated by Chinese interests. They are not exactly encouraging Islam. Looking at the western provinces of China and Tibet to see how religion will fare under more Chinese power. Hmm come to think of it maybe that is not such a bad thing when it comes to considering Islam. The chinese would truly put it in its place given a chance.. Be careful what you wish for...

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