Quote:
Originally posted by Pacifier
True, but the attempts in the recent past are making me a bit pessimistic. To see back to Kosovo: the situation there is not what I would call peaceful and stable or "democratic", but noone cares anymore about that it seems, there are new nations to be "liberated" and when the US decide that they are finished with "nationbuilding" they will leave and the media attantion will also be gone. and then anything could ahppen in iraq and noone would care. ..
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I have been pessimistic for a long time with regard to nation building, but firmly believe it is the best thing for humanity. Nation building failures far outnumber successes. The only successes are those where the rebuilders were truly committed to making it work (whatever the reasons for the commitment).
I have some hope that there is sufficient commitment in Iraq as I believe creating a strong democratic(ish) government in the middle east can get the region moving in a more stable direction. I fear that the current political infighting within the US around Iraq can only soften the resolve of the American people to see it through. This would be a HUGE mistake since, as you pointed out, the international reputation of the US is to intervene in things and then leave once our needs are met. We need to stay involved with Iraq and build it into the greatest country it can be.
Afghanistan is a different story. The goal in Afghanistan has not really been to rebuild the nation. It was to dislodge the Taliban and Al Qaeda. While I would hope that we can bring some stability and hope for a better future there, I think it may be too difficult. There are just too few resources to work with there.
Kosovo is a travesty in my opinion. It illustrates how easily the world can turn its back on people despite all the speeches by leaders of the "first world" countries about human rights, economic freedoms, and compassion for others.