Unilateralism handicaps U. S. foreign policy
Daniel Byrne
class of '92
In his Monday column, Mike Marchand assaults Europeans for their concern over President Bush's "axis of evil" statement during his State of the Union address. The statement resonated with the American public because of the obviousness of the repressive regimes that currently control those nations.
The complaints of the United States' European allies stem not from a disagreement over the relative nature of evil but over the approach to be taken in ending that evil. While certainly guilty of creating and leaving tragic messes in Africa, Asia and the Balkans, the Europeans realize that long-term integrated strategies are the only means of securing peace and stability throughout the globe.
Their complaints about American unilateralism and oversimplification of foreign policy not only are justified, but also should be reiterated and reviewed by Americans. The failure to integrate our efforts and policies with allies across the globe can lead to failure not only in Afghanistan but also in our efforts to reduce the "axis of evil." It is impossible for the United States to implement its long-term policy goals without the support of our allies in Asia and Europe.
This was all too evident in the president's visit to Asia. During his visit, Bush assured Koreans that his statements did not forecast war and that he supported the engagement or "sunshine" policy of Kim Dae Jung. Shortly after these statements, Bush arrived in Beijing, which surprisingly escaped participation in the "axis of evil" despite its record of human rights abuses, political and religious oppression and aggressive militarism. Marchand and Bush have seemingly forgotten the downing of an American surveillance aircraft less than one year ago.
By mocking and belittling the contribution of the Japanese, Koreans, Filipinos and Europeans in the global fight against terrorism and evil, Marchand and other proponents of prideful American unilateralism utterly fail to understand the reality of global politics and history. We have won few wars without allies and have lost a few when our allies failed to support us. Evil exists far beyond the axis that bears its name and United States foreign policy requires allies to defeat it.
Daniel Byrne
class of '92
Feb. 26, 2002
All Viewpoint Stories for Wednesday, February 27, 2002
