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For Release: Thursday August 21st, 1998 Military Strikes Misguided, Inappropriate, and CounterproductiveForeign policy experts are calling the U.S. military strikes in Afghanistan and Sudan "misguided," "inappropriate," and "counterproductive." Americans less safe now: Opposing terrorism is a legitimate objective of foreign policy. But the U.S. cannot—and should not—fight terror with terror. One cannot strengthen the international rule of law by egregiously violating international law. As a result of U.S. military strikes, Americans are less safe now than a week ago. Above international law: Once again the U.S. government has placed the nation in contempt of international law. U.S. officials, including the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, have called for the international community to take a tougher stance against terrorists. But by unilaterally bombing suspected terrorist camps Washington has once again placed itself above international law and the principles of multilateralism. Continuing a disturbing pattern: The failure of the U.S. to consult or gain the approval of the UN Security Council for strikes on Iraq, its failure to ratify the landmines convention, and its opposition to a strong International Criminal Court are further evidence of this disturbing pattern of recent U.S. foreign policy. Failed objectives and off-target: This type of aerial response to real or perceived terrorists threats rarely meets its intended objective or hits the intended target. U.S. aerial strikes aimed at Saddam Hussein in Baghdad missed the Iraqi dictator but killed numerous civilians, including Iraq's best-known woman painter, Leyla Al-Atar. Thus far, there is little reason to believe that the aerial strikes against targets in Sudan and Afghanistan will be any more successful in combating international terrorism. Reinforce anti-American sentiment: This type of counterterrorism operation reinforces foreign sentiment--particularly in the Middle East and North Africa--that the U.S. exercises a double standard with respect to international law and order. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Foreign Policy In Focus (FPIF) is a joint project of the Institute for Policy Studies and the Interhemispheric Resource Center. FPIF produces briefs analyzing current U.S. foreign policy on a range of issues, including international trade and the global economy, peace and security, and regional and country analysis. For further information or to order copies of In Focus briefs, please contact the IRC, IPS, or visit our website. |