Insights into US Foreign Policy
Scott Horton's book, "Enough Already," is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to understand the intricacies of US foreign policy in the Middle East over the past 35 years. Starting with the tragic events of 9/11, Horton delves into the terror wars that have ensued to the present day, offering ten critical lessons.
Each chapter of the book focuses on a specific country, but the lessons are interwoven throughout the narrative.
Lesson 1: The US is Not Loyal to Its Allies
The US government has a history of forming alliances only to later turn against them. A prime example is the formation of al Qaeda. In the 1980s, the US armed Afghan resistance fighters to counter Russia in Afghanistan. After 9/11, al Qaeda became the US's primary enemy. However, about a decade later, the US began arming them once again to fight in Iraq and Syria.
The same pattern was repeated with the Taliban in Afghanistan and Iraq. The US supported these groups at one point, only to wage war against them later.
Lesson 2: The US Prolongs Wars
Without US involvement in the Middle East, the warring sides would likely be evenly matched and have fewer resources to continue fighting. The US's provision of arms to Saudi Arabia, which then sends them to their allies in Yemen, has prolonged the Yemen War. This pattern was also observed in Somalia and the Ukraine-Russia war.
Lesson 3: The US Justifies Starting Wars with Nonsense
One of the main justifications for attacking Iraq in 2003 was a white paper titled "A Clean Break," written by David Wurmser. It suggested that overthrowing Iraq's Baathist Party would enable the US to establish a government and form close allies in the region. However, this proved to be a fallacy as Iraq allied with Iran and the rest of the Shia world instead of the US.
Lesson 4: The US Causes the Problems They Claim to Prevent
The US intervention in Libya in 2011 is a clear example of this. The US government justified their intervention by stating that it would prevent Muammar Gadhafi from massacring his own civilians. However, the intervention led to civilian massacres.
Lesson 5: The US-Led Terror Wars Don’t Defend America
The US has waged many wars to benefit Israel and Saudi Arabia, not to defend America. The US fought Iraq War III and the Syrian War to reduce Iran’s influence in the region for this purpose.
Lesson 6: The US Lies about Every Aspect of These Wars
The US government has been known to lie about the reasons for staying in wars, the status of the wars, and the groups they support.
Lesson 7: The US-Led Terror Wars Produce More Terrorists
US military interventions in the Middle East have resulted in an increase in the number of terrorists. In September 2001, al Qaeda consisted of 400 people hiding in eastern Afghanistan. Today, al Qaeda-affiliated organizations operate all over the Middle East.
Lesson 8: The US Primarily Kills Civilians
The US's interventions in the Middle East have resulted in a significantly higher number of civilian deaths compared to combatant deaths.
Lesson 9: The US has Lost Every War It Started in the Middle East
The US has not won a single war in the Middle East. The war in Afghanistan ended with the US handing the country back to the Taliban. In Yemen, the Houthis continue to control the main population centers. In Mali, Somalia, and Libya, al Qaeda-affiliated groups are in power.
Lesson 10: The US Terror Wars Hurt Americans
The wars have directly affected American citizens. Thousands of American soldiers have been killed or wounded, and many more suffer from PTSD. The wars have also had economic impacts, making it harder for Americans to purchase homes or start families.
Bottom Line
These lessons offer a sobering perspective on the US's foreign policy and its implications. They raise important questions about the motivations and outcomes of the US's involvement in the Middle East. What are your thoughts on these lessons? Do you agree or disagree with them? Share this article with your friends and discuss. Remember, you can sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.
