The New Statesman has some good news and some bad news about the war.
First, the good news: The war has been "a resounding success."
True, Osama Bin Laden himself has not been found (though the only reason may be that he is dead), but the government that protected him, and the fighters who supported him, have been utterly routed. The American performance, military and diplomatic, has been awesome. No US soldier has been lost on the battlefield. No government has dared openly to criticise the US campaign or to refuse co-operation. Arab street protests, such as they were, have faded away. The continuing US bombing raids - with the usual claims and counter-claims about civilian casualties - scarcely attract comment... And nobody seriously doubts that the US can, and probably will, overthrow Saddam Hussein whenever it wishes.
Oh, wait a minute: that is the bad news.
"11 September, which initially seemed to reveal a new American weakness and vulnerability, has actually heralded a new, and quite alarming, American strength and confidence."
Strength and confidence: the British lefty's worst nightmare. Not to worry, though. There is a reassuring light of failure at the end of the depressing tunnel of success, because "the kind of deracinated individual who becomes a terrorist must always be a characteristic figure of global capitalism."
I guess that's why the New Statesman calls this column "Focus."
Posted by Dr. Frank at January 13, 2002 09:31 PM | TrackBack