SABAH- Columnist Sukru Elekdag writes on the shift in US foreign policy after last September’s terrorist attacks. A summary of his column is as follows:
The tragedy of Sept. 11 brought about some earthshaking changes to United States foreign policy and global strategy. US citizens gave President Bush an extended mandate to eradicate al-Qaida and to crush terrorist organizations all around the globe. However, the Bush administration is forcing this authority to its limits as well as using it for the US’ long-term strategic interests, and it is trying to establish a ‘Pax Americana’ (a global peace order dependent on US superiority and arbitration) and taking some important steps towards this end. Washington’s quest for a privileged legal system for the US in the new world order is a striking example of this, one which is altogether contradictory to international law. Accordingly, the US, drawing on its legitimate right to defend itself, openly declares that it has the right to carry out pre-emptive strikes on countries –- even if they have not attacked the US -- which possess weapons of mass destruction and that employ terrorism as a state policy. This is what we call ‘anticipatory self defense’ or ‘offensive deterrence.’ It is very likely that the US will justify its possible military attack on Iraq on these legal grounds. The settling-in of the US in Central Asia and the Caucasus region can be viewed as the most striking development in the post-Sept. 11 era. It is obvious that the US is there to stay to guard its interests in oil-rich regions, and towards this end it is solidifying its relations with Russia. Moreover, the US has to fortify its position in the Middle East and to create alternative means of access to oil resources. Actually, this is the underlying reason for its political support to the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline project. The above picture clearly demonstrates the dramatic change in power balance in Eurasian politics. In this new conjuncture, Russia becomes the key country, giving the US the opportunity to reach to a vast geography in its war against terror. This may result in a serious erosion in the role given to Turkey in the US’ strategy, especially after a possible strike on Iraq. However, Turkey’s forward steps towards EU membership should be assessed as a compensating development.
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION