 |
Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, July 2008, pages 66-67 Waging Peace General Zinni Examines U.S.-Mideast Defense Relations
AT AN APRIL 1 Capitol Hill briefing sponsored by the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations, Gen. Anthony Zinni, USMC (Ret.) tackled the subject: “Changing Dynamics of U.S.-Mideast Defense Relations: Withdraw? Downsize? Remain engaged? Redeploy? Reconfigure?” General Zinni opposed the decision to invade Iraq, opposes preemptive strikes against Iran and is a critic of the Bush administration. He urged the next president to follow a diplomatic course. Many U.S. leaders still view the world through a Cold War lens, Zinni observed, at a time when the international community has become so interdependent that conflagrations anywhere on the planet affect our lives. He is opposed to building walls, he said, whether ideological or along the U.S. border with Mexico or Israel’s borders, and stated that the United States cannot function effectively in the world without a “recognition of interdependence in every aspect.” Zinni also offered some suggestions for America’s next president: Listen to other leaders and get to know and truly understand the world as it is; devise a strategic design for engaging in that world; and rebuild diplomatic relationships with the world’s nations while restructuring our government at home. He said the next president may enjoy a brief honeymoon period, as the world welcomes America back “to its role as a respected and trustworthy leader.” —Delinda C. Hanley |
|||||
