PERILS OF EMPIRE
When the U.S. launched its invasion of Iraq, predicated on the events of 9/11, it was the very quintessence of hubris.
Neo-conservatives dreamed of remaking the Middle East in their own image. It was, in truth, a mad dream. A nightmare born of the drug of sole superpower.
It’s been a decade since, and none of their dreams have come true. Indeed, it’s quite the opposite.
The Middle East is a tinderbox enclosed in a powder keg.
It is more unstable today than it has ever been – perhaps since decolonization.
Its people are frustrated, paralyzed by powerful princes, and predatory militaries – armies armed against their own people.
The fruits of empire are foul indeed – and the worse is yet to come.
We are seeing some of it in today’s Iraq – but, assuredly, there is more madness to come.
–© ‘14maj