Some Republican leaders are so angry with the Iran deal that they
compared it with Chamberlains Munich treaty. They called it a treaty of appeasement
similar to the Munich treaty which encouraged Hitler to start
the 2nd World War
Visiting a different America from the Bush era
Abdul Gaffar choudhury
When I last visited America it was Bush era. The Gulf war was over, Saddam was awaiting a trial in a Kangaroo court which eventually gave him death sentence. President Bush was boasting that Iraq war was over and American supremacy had been reasserted all over the world.
Some of the American media was claiming that Bushs new world order was working. This euphoria did not last very long. Though Iraq was defeated, a new enemy raised its head against western invasion. First it was splinters of Iraqi military groups, then gradually the so-called Islamic terrorists infiltrated among them and the war did not end as Bush Junior had boasted.
When Arab Spring started America wanted to take its advantage by replacing old dictators of several Muslim countries including Libya and Egypt by new dictators of their choice. Gaddafi of Libya was killed, Mubarak of Egypt was overthrown and attempt was made to oust Assad of Syria from power. Warning was also issued against Iran that if it did not comply with western instructions to halt producing atomic bombs then military action will be taken against them and economic sanction will be tightened more.
With a view to toppling Assad of Syria the conflict between Shia and Sunni factions was encouraged and the so called ISIS terrorist group was created with help from America and Saudi Arabia. They have now become Frankstein for western interest and occupation in the Middle-east. ISIS has occupied a large area of Syria and Iraq and declared the establishment of their Khilafat.
The effect of the prolonged conflict in the Middle-east on American economy was not good. The worldwide depression started and in America itself social stability was threatened. It seemed that the moral leadership of America over the world was shaken. This was why, Americas white establishment had to accept a black president in the Whitehouse who could salvage Americas reputation and restore its image in the world. Obama did his best without going into conflict with the white establishment, but at least he has succeeded to rescue America from economic decline and to make peace with several enemy countries for the best interest of his country.
He is withdrawing American troops from Iraq, he has stopped using American soldiers against ISIS terrorists and using air strikes to defeat them and has predicted this war will be a long one. With a quick move he made peace with Cuba and Iran. In his Iran deal he was opposed vehemently by conservative republicans and Saudi Arabia and Israel. Some Republican leaders are so angry with the Iran deal that they compared it with Chamberlains Munich treaty. They called it a treaty of appeasement similar to the Munich treaty which encouraged Hitler to start the 2nd World War.
But the peace loving people of America think this comparison is not justified. Obama is trying his best to save his country from his predecessor Bushs self-destructive policy.
This time I visited an America which is different from the Bush era. The ordinary Americans are not boastful anymore and many of them have realized that the role of America to act as world policemen is now coming to an end slowly. With economic depression the social disorder in the American society has widened. The presence of a black president in the White House has enraged the sections of racially hateful white community and racial tension has increased. Their anger against a black president has fallen upon the non-white Americans.
There are reports of increasing killings and
torture of black people even by the police. One American journalist friend told me, one day white America will remember Obama as a saviour,
but now perhaps majority of them are nurturing murderous hatred towards him.
President Obama has made peace with Cuba and stopped the escalating war in the Middle-east by persuading Iran to sign an agreement on nuclear issue by peaceful means.
His administration hopes this will help America to get out of the killing field of the Middle-east with honour. On the other hand, the economic sanctions on Iran will be removed. Their frozen assets which are lying idle in western banks will be released and inject new life in Iranian economy. Iran will be able to sell its oil in the oil market of the world without any bar. If Iranian economy prospers they will need more foreign workers for their reconstruction jobs.
It would be beneficial for Bangladesh also because Iran will need huge number of workers from other countries like Bangladesh. Then Bangladesh will not be solely dependent on Saudi Arabia and some other small Arab countries for their labour market anymore. Bangladesh has century old friendship with Iran. If we can cultivate this friendship then Bangladesh will be greatly benefitted by economic cooperation with Iran.
There is another aspect. If the proposal for an oil pipeline from Iran to India through Pakistan is materialized, then Bangladesh also will be benefitted with other countries of the subcontinent. That will boost up our economy hugely. Irans nuclear research centre may go slow for 5 to 10 years but that is not the end of the story. Like India Iran may one day acquire nuclear power and join the world nuclear club with the consent and cooperation of America.
America could not prevent India to become a nuclear power, the same thing may happen to Iran as many observers predict. The last time I visited America, it was a boastful and turbulent country. This time I saw a sublime America, trying to make peace with themselves. If the situation persists one day it may be considered a great success of Obama presidency.
London: Friday 24th July, 2015
