The Days of Middle East Colonialism are Gone

The United States, fuming over the hostage crisis, sided with Iraq, which it saw as an opponent of Shiite militancy that threatened perceived U.S. interests such as the stability of the Sunni monarchies in oil-producing countries. Ronald Reagan sent envoys to Baghdad to find ways the United States could help Saddam. As a result the United States provided helicopters and satellite intelligence used to identify bombing targets. The Iraq / Iran war had two major outcomes. One, it spread anti-American feelings in Iran and made being against American foreign policy a popular theme among Iranians. Two, Iraq's use of chemical weapons and the American role in preventing an investigation of their use and shielding Saddam from criticism convinced Iranian's leaders they needed to develop their own such weapons.

The hostage crisis, the Iran / Iraq war and the efforts of Iran's leaders to undermine U.S. power in the Middle East have turned Iran and the United States enemies.

Iran's leaders feed off American hostility. Threats from Washington provide fuel to the oppression of students, labor unions, women and other opposition groups. There is a growing feeling in Iran that isolation has gone on too long and has not been good for Iran. As long as the United States appears to be a clear and present danger the government will continue to have what it sees as justification to do whatever it wants. This justification is especially convenient at a time when growing numbers of Iranians are expressing dissatisfaction with their government.

As long as the United States maintains a presence in the Middle East we will provide a rallying cry for America's enemies.

From the beginning of its involvement in the internal affairs of Iraq the United States has been doomed to failure. The reasons are many and include Intelligence failure, Presidential arrogance, House and Senate ineffectiveness, and a citizenry ignorant of its own Constitution.

Prior to the invasion of Iraq, a Sunni ruled the Shiite and Kurd population with violence. Iran, being majority Shiite, and a Sunni led Iraq are natural enemies. Intelligence would have warned that Iran would become involved in an unstable Iraq.

The United States must remove any military presence from the Middle East. The days of colonialism are gone.