George Bush Jr. Just Doesn't Measure Up

[unhappycamper]

Bush the father and Bush the Son: Many have taken the measure of the two, and have found the son badly wanting ...

George Bush Jr. Just Doesn't Measure Up
Tribune de Geneve, Switzerland
By Ali Salah Hadid. Lawyer, Journalist, Former Diplomat|
Translated By Mike Goeden
June 26, 2007


After a diplomatic "separation" of 27 years, a direct dialog has been re-established between the United States and Iran, officially for the sake of Iraq's security.

This is a major event! And an event, sometimes in the form of gesture or a brief encounter, can in retrospect plunge us into the past.

For half a century, the United States and Iran were either allies or caught up in a standoff, playing "you hold me and I hold your goatee." The first Iraq war in 1991 carried out by George Bush Senior had been well prepared for. It was launched just after the fall of the Berlin Wall. The situation was favorable and the former-President was a skilled operator. He forged an unprecedented coalition against Iraq with the participation of the most influential Arab countries.

The former CIA director had acquired the experience to properly filter information and choose wise counsel, so as to better decide and maneuver. He was a head of state capable of measuring the risks - and when necessary - stopping in time.

Which is why he signed a cease-fire with Saddam - in order to save his boys from the morass, and consequently to be hailed as the liberator of "the tiny country" of Kuwait, which had been invaded by its large neighbor (although the backdrop for the war was oil and other strategic objectives). Conversely, G.W. Bush the Son is captive to a fever of stubbornness over wanting to succeed where he estimates his father failed, in line with the neocons who helped him conquer the White House.

In fact G.W. Bush has become not only hostage to his entourage, but paradoxically, the ally of his enemies, since he empowered them to better fulfill their plans. This is certainly the case for bin Laden and other Arab dictators. Moreover, he has caused unconditional allies like Aznar, Berlusconi and Blair to lose both face and their positions.


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