Mark Phillips: The American Question

4/3/03: World War IV.

A captured Iraqi, hooded, with his son.

Former CIA director James Woolsey put it on the table today. The U.S. is now fighting World War IV, and it'll go on for years.

Describing the Cold War as World War III, Woolsey said,

"This fourth world war, I think, will last considerably longer than either World Wars I or II did for us. [...] As we move toward a new Middle East, over the years and, I think, over the decades to come ... we will make a lot of people very nervous."

Who are these nervous types Woolsey mentions? He singles out the religious rulers of Iran, the fascistoid governments of Iraq and Syria, and Islamic extremists like Al Qaeda. Speaking explicitly of the Egyptian and Saudi regimes, Woolsey said,

"We want you nervous. We want you to realize now, for the fourth time in a hundred years, this country and its allies are on the march and that we are on the side of those whom you -- the Mubaraks, the Saudi Royal family -- most fear: We're on the side of your own people."

Gotcha. It's all about democracy. Just like the three previous world wars.

But now the obvious question. What will you do when these newly liberated nations with enthusiastically representative governments turn out to be far more hostile to the United States than the unpopular, corrupt, authoritarian, yet amenable regimes in power today?

This is the wonderful thing about democracy. It's like the genie let loose from the bottle. There's no controlling it. It could very well box your ears, and set fire to your tie.

Woolsey knows this perfectly well, of course. By "democracy" he means something different than rule by the people. He means government on the Karzai model: puppets empowered by U.S. troops. Who'll remain in-country... well... permanently.

Because the real model here isn't World War Two. It's Israel and Palestine. As long as the occupation continues, there'll be war. In Afghanistan and Iraq, now, as well as Palestine.

Where else, in future?

Sounds like everywhere, if you listen to Mr. Woolsey.

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