M.I. Bhat: Is America Redefining its Character

Or its Future Wars? Following NYT 13 October editorial urging immediate "Pack Up" from Afghanistan, quite a few news reports have appeared related to the US' long held positions toward "War on Terror" and Iran's nuclear issue, that on the surface seem to suggest the US administration possibly redefining America from a warmongering nation to one at peace with itself and the world, but that could be mere illusion, because NOT being in war goes against the very American history and grain. In fact, that would be asking Americans for "character suicide." Anyhow, we begin with NYT itself, that is, the 180 degree shift in its policy from being top drum-beater for Pentagon's wars. The crux of the editorial is that America can't wait for 2012, the deadline set by Obama for the military withdrawal from Afghanistan. Instead, it argues "two more years of combat, two more years of sending Americans to die and be wounded, is too long." To emphasize need for accelerated withdrawal within less than a year to avoid further combat casualties, it goes on to the extent of proposing blowing up military hardware like "Stinger missiles" and "drones" if arranging their speedy safe return could delay withdrawal! That is something unbelievable indeed. By the way, Stinger missiles against Taliban fertilizer based landmines? Doesn't that speak a lot about the US military war planning and strategy? Remembering that NYT has all along cheer led America's wars, and stood stoutly behind the US policy of "open end" to "war on terror", without bothering about national or international legal and moral issues, or how negatively they impact "America's global interests" or the military budget, it would seem a bit too simplistic to believe such a turnabout in thinking or belief could come about merely out of concern for potential casualties, or the sudden recollection of such recent historical facts, as how Eisenhower or Nixon ended their wars to the benefit of America: That would be degrading the intelligence of the whole NYT flock, in particular of those who write its influential editorial pieces!