U.S. must move on Darfur
DI Editorial Board
Issue date: 3/6/08 Section: Opinions
As the primary season nears its conclusion, presidential-nomination candidates will continue to highlight their differences. In the Iraq war and 9/11 era, foreign policy has played an increasingly crucial role in our society. Unfortunately, President Bush's numerous mistakes abroad have tarnished our image among allies and led a majority of the global community to question our motives overseas. Candidates may tout their plans to deal with such states as Iran and North Korea, but they should be reminded that tragedy occurs outside of "Axis of Evil" states. In Darfur, a western region of the Sudan, genocide has claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands; the BBC also estimates that more than 2 million have been displaced by the conflict there.
During the Rwandan genocide in 1994, then-President Clinton's administration all but ignored the horrifying catastrophe. Though he later apologized for America's lack of response, Clinton set a dangerous precedent for U.S. involvement in such crises. Likewise, President Bush has done little better. In fact, the president admitted in 2004 that the murder in Darfur is indeed genocide, yet our country has sat idly by while innocent men, women, and children continue to die. Bush was correct to identify the slaughter in Darfur as genocide, yet it's shameful that our nation has not intervened there to end it.
As the world's greatest superpower, the United States has an obligation and responsibility to act swiftly when crimes against humanity occur. From starvation to disease to rape, the situation in Darfur is dire. These people need our help. America has always been quick to protect its interests throughout the world, but our neglect to provide mass humanitarian assistance in Africa is inexcusable. Our nation is viewed by many as one that only steps in when there is something tangible to gain; though this may not be entirely accurate, our leaders in Congress and the White House have not done much to curb such thinking.
Our efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq - both militarily and economically - have indicated where our country's focus lies. Bush's successor must take appropriate action to recommit American energy and aid to regions suffering from extensive civil war and genocide. These conflicts are prone to escalate and spread elsewhere. If our government wishes to continue the "war on terror," perhaps it should learn the definition of "terrorism" first. The bloodshed and destruction throughout the African continent, including in Darfur, absolutely qualifies as a terror campaign. If the U.S. government thinks otherwise, it has no credibility as the world's peacebroker.
During the Rwandan genocide in 1994, then-President Clinton's administration all but ignored the horrifying catastrophe. Though he later apologized for America's lack of response, Clinton set a dangerous precedent for U.S. involvement in such crises. Likewise, President Bush has done little better. In fact, the president admitted in 2004 that the murder in Darfur is indeed genocide, yet our country has sat idly by while innocent men, women, and children continue to die. Bush was correct to identify the slaughter in Darfur as genocide, yet it's shameful that our nation has not intervened there to end it.
As the world's greatest superpower, the United States has an obligation and responsibility to act swiftly when crimes against humanity occur. From starvation to disease to rape, the situation in Darfur is dire. These people need our help. America has always been quick to protect its interests throughout the world, but our neglect to provide mass humanitarian assistance in Africa is inexcusable. Our nation is viewed by many as one that only steps in when there is something tangible to gain; though this may not be entirely accurate, our leaders in Congress and the White House have not done much to curb such thinking.
Our efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq - both militarily and economically - have indicated where our country's focus lies. Bush's successor must take appropriate action to recommit American energy and aid to regions suffering from extensive civil war and genocide. These conflicts are prone to escalate and spread elsewhere. If our government wishes to continue the "war on terror," perhaps it should learn the definition of "terrorism" first. The bloodshed and destruction throughout the African continent, including in Darfur, absolutely qualifies as a terror campaign. If the U.S. government thinks otherwise, it has no credibility as the world's peacebroker.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 4
Texas Hawkeye
posted 3/06/08 @ 9:23 AM CST
Sounds like the author is suggesting we impose our morality on another country through economic and military means. In other words, interject ourselves into someone elses civil war. (Continued…)
Nick
posted 3/06/08 @ 4:12 PM CST
Sounds like Texas Hawkeye has a "jump to conclusions" mat.
Post a Comment