Should USA Send More Troops to Afghanistan?

Introduction

The terrorist attacks of September the 11th have highlighted an increasingly wide contrast between the way America portrays itself and the rest of the world sees it. Recently American President Barak Hussain Obama has declared that USA is planning to send over 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan. In response the world community has reacted and now America is in a rogue state. Criticism of American foreign policy found a focal point when it acted unilaterally against Afghanistan and then Iraq post 9/11 (Barylski, 389). Prominent commentators such as Chomsky and Pilger have long criticised American policy and found a new mainstream audience in the Western world. The Oscar winning 'Bowling for Columbine' directed by Michael Moore was also heavily critical of American interventions. America has never known a period where its allies in the West have been more critical of its actions (Halliday, 1357).

In attempting to ascertain whether America is a rogue state it is important to explain America's collective narrative, the story it tells to the world. It is against this narrative that the 'other' emerges and the 'rogue state' is a clear example of this. America portrays itself as a society that embraces freedom, justice and plurality. It has also sold itself as a classless society. America historically escaped the feudalism of Europe to become the most economically powerful country in the world. This is the 'American Dream', the idea that there are no boundaries between the individual and success except hard work and dedication. America is a country founded by diverse immigrants, a country where anyone can succeed and religious plurality is tolerated (Misra, 577). The U.S. ended the Second World War as Europe's saviour from fascism, its late intervention breaking down Nazi resistance. The Marshall plan provided aid for devastated Europe and the U.S. then went on to fight the spread of Communism.

America in a Rogue State

After 9/11 the threat of terrorism by anti- American fundamentalists became another part of the rogue state doctrine. The 'war on terror' has now replaced the 'wars' on communism and drugs, a threat some might say that is a product of Eisenhower's military industrial complex. Post 9/11, America increased its threats to any state that were thought to be either funding or harbouring terrorists. The ruling Taliban of Afghanistan were overthrown because of the Al- Quaida training camps that the 9/11 plane-jackers had graduated from. The absence of Western human rights such as freedom of religious thought and basic democratic rights also often feature in the discussion of the threat of terrorism (Tarock, 801). Terrorists are said to attack Western democracies because they abhor their traits, democracy, religious plurality etc. America presents itself as the scourge of terrorism and the upholder of human rights that are present in the U.S. constitution. However a look back in time suggests that these troubles may have roots not far from America.

The damage done to the credibility of the United Nations by the invasion of Iraq by a ...