Introduction
In "Failed States," renowned political commentator and linguist Noam Chomsky presents a scathing critique of United States foreign policy and its impact on global affairs. The book challenges the widely held notion that the US is a force for good in the world, instead arguing that its actions often lead to increased violence, injustice, and instability.
Chomsky's work is a wake-up call for those who believe in the ideals of democracy and freedom, as he meticulously dissects the contradictions between America's stated values and its actual behavior on the world stage. Through a series of compelling arguments and well-researched examples, the author makes a case for why the United States itself could be considered a "failed state" by its own definition.
The United States and International Law
One of the central themes in "Failed States" is the way the United States often disregards international law when it suits its interests. Chomsky argues that the US claims a special status that allows it to operate above the rules that govern other nations.
The United Nations Security Council
The author points out that the United Nations, often seen as a democratic international body, is actually dominated by a few powerful nations, particularly the United States. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the US wields significant influence and can sometimes ignore international law without consequences.
Chomsky provides a striking example of this power imbalance by discussing the Oil-for-Food Program scandal. Despite evidence of US corporations being involved in illegal kickbacks to Saddam Hussein's regime, the United States used its influence to avoid sanctions.
Defining Torture
Another area where the US exercises its exceptional status is in the definition of torture. Chomsky highlights the stark difference between the US Justice Department's narrow definition of torture and the more comprehensive one provided by the Geneva Convention. This discrepancy allows the US to engage in practices that would be considered torture by international standards while claiming compliance with anti-torture laws.
The US Approach to War and Self-Defense
Chomsky argues that the United States follows its own rules when it comes to waging war and punishing its perceived enemies. He points out that while the UN Charter allows for self-defense in case of an armed attack, the US has expanded this concept to include "anticipatory self-defense."
The War on Terror
The author uses the example of the "War on Terror" launched after the 9/11 attacks to illustrate this point. The Bush administration justified the invasion of Afghanistan as an act of anticipatory self-defense against potential future terrorist attacks. Chomsky argues that if this logic were applied universally, it could justify attacks against the United States by other nations or groups that feel threatened by US actions.
Historical Context
To further emphasize his point, Chomsky provides historical examples of US actions that could be considered terrorism if judged by the same standards the US applies to others. He mentions CIA operations in Cuba between 1960 and 1961, which involved smuggling explosives and weapons into the country to carry out attacks on Cuban infrastructure.
Economic Interests vs. Global Threats
One of the most alarming aspects of US foreign policy, according to Chomsky, is the prioritization of economic interests over addressing global threats like nuclear proliferation and climate change.
Nuclear Threat
The author argues that the risk of a nuclear attack is higher now than during the Cold War, due to the proliferation of nuclear weapons and the increased chance of accidental or unauthorized use. Despite this growing threat, Chomsky notes that the US does little to address the issue, particularly avoiding the most effective solution: complete nuclear disarmament.
Climate Change
Chomsky also criticizes the US response to climate change, citing the 2005 G8 summit where the United States was the only nation to refuse immediate action on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. He argues that this reluctance stems from a desire to protect US economic interests, even at the cost of global environmental stability.
The Case of Cuba: Antagonism for Political Gain
To illustrate how the US pursues its interests at the expense of other nations, Chomsky delves into the long-standing conflict with Cuba. He argues that the US engaged in a deliberate campaign to antagonize Cuba after Fidel Castro's rise to power in 1959, not because Cuba posed a genuine threat, but because it refused to submit to US influence.
Economic Warfare and Sabotage
Chomsky details the various methods used by the US to undermine the Cuban government, including economic embargoes, burning of plantations and factories, and destruction of infrastructure. He argues that these actions were motivated by a fear that Cuba's independence might inspire other nations to become less reliant on the United States.
Misplaced Priorities
The author provides a striking example of misplaced priorities in the US government's approach to Cuba. He cites statistics showing that the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) dedicated far more resources to investigating Cuban financial transactions than to tracking the finances of known terrorist organizations like Al-Qaeda.
Democracy Promotion: Rhetoric vs. Reality
A significant portion of "Failed States" is dedicated to exposing the contradictions between the United States' stated goal of promoting democracy abroad and its actual actions in pursuit of economic interests.
The Bush Doctrine
Chomsky acknowledges that promoting democracy has been a central tenet of US foreign policy, citing the Bush Doctrine and the establishment of the National Endowment for Democracy under President Reagan. However, he argues that in practice, US economic interests often take precedence over democratic ideals.
Azerbaijan: A Case Study
To illustrate this point, the author discusses the opening of an oil pipeline in Azerbaijan. While US officials praised the project as a step towards democracy, Chomsky points out that this rhetoric ignored the Azerbaijani government's simultaneous crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators.
The Middle East Peace Process
Chomsky dedicates significant attention to the United States' role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, arguing that the US prioritizes its own interests over genuine peace in the region.
Selective Democracy
The author highlights the US push for democratic elections in Palestine following the death of Yasser Arafat in 2004. Chomsky argues that this sudden interest in Palestinian democracy was not genuine, but rather a calculated move to potentially replace Arafat's leadership with one more amenable to US interests.
Blocking Peace Initiatives
Chomsky provides several examples of the United States blocking or undermining peace initiatives that didn't align with its preferences. He cites the US rejection of a 1976 Syrian-initiated two-state solution and the lack of support for the 2003 Geneva Accord, both of which had significant international backing.
The Iraq War: A Failed Intervention
A significant portion of "Failed States" is dedicated to critiquing the US-led invasion of Iraq, which Chomsky argues was both legally and morally dubious, as well as a failure in achieving its stated goals.
Failure to Establish Democracy
Chomsky points out that despite claims of bringing democracy to Iraq, the post-invasion reality was far from democratic. He cites the 2005 draft constitution, which was more theocratic than the previous one, as evidence that the invasion failed to establish the promised secular democracy.
Violations of International Law
The author details several instances during the Iraq War where US actions potentially violated international law. He focuses on the second attack on Fallujah in 2004, where tactics such as forcing civilians to remain in a combat zone and bombing medical facilities may have contravened the Geneva Conventions.
Civilian Casualties
Chomsky emphasizes the human cost of the war, noting that the Fallujah offensive alone resulted in hundreds of civilian casualties. He argues that these deaths, along with the overall deterioration of living conditions for Iraqis, demonstrate the failure of the US intervention.
The United States as a Failed State
In the final section of "Failed States," Chomsky turns his critical lens on the state of democracy within the United States itself. He argues that the US suffers from a "democracy deficit," which, by its own definition, could classify it as a failed state.
Public Opinion vs. Policy
The author provides several examples where US public policy diverges significantly from public opinion. These include:
- The rejection of the Kyoto Protocol despite broad public support
- The preference for military engagement over diplomatic measures in the "war on terror," contrary to public sentiment
- The maintenance of veto power in the UN Security Council, despite a slight majority of Americans supporting its abolition
Expanding the Definition of Failed States
Chomsky notes that under the Bush administration, the definition of a "failed state" was expanded to include countries with a democracy deficit – those lacking institutions that fulfill democratic principles. He argues that by this definition, the United States itself could be considered a failed state due to its failure to represent the will of its citizens in key policy decisions.
Conclusion
"Failed States" presents a compelling and thought-provoking critique of US foreign policy and its impact on global affairs. Noam Chomsky challenges readers to look beyond the rhetoric of freedom and democracy often espoused by US leaders and instead examine the actual consequences of American actions on the world stage.
The book paints a picture of a superpower that often prioritizes its own economic and geopolitical interests over the principles it claims to uphold. From its disregard for international law to its selective promotion of democracy, from its aggressive military interventions to its failure to address global threats like climate change, Chomsky argues that the United States' behavior often contradicts its stated values.
Perhaps most provocatively, Chomsky turns the concept of a "failed state" back on the US itself, arguing that the country's democracy deficit and failure to represent the will of its citizens in key policy decisions qualify it for this label by its own definition.
While "Failed States" is undoubtedly a critical and at times harsh assessment of US policies, it serves as an important counterpoint to more mainstream narratives. It challenges readers to question their assumptions about America's role in the world and to consider the gap between the country's ideals and its actions.
Ultimately, Chomsky's work is a call for greater accountability in US foreign policy and a more honest assessment of America's impact on global affairs. It encourages readers to look beyond patriotic rhetoric and instead engage critically with the realities of US actions on the world stage. Whether one agrees with all of Chomsky's conclusions or not, "Failed States" provides a valuable perspective that contributes to a more nuanced understanding of international relations and the complexities of global power dynamics.