Edward Herman, “GulfSpeak,” Z Magazine, January 1991

Main Point

The article argues the imperialistic nature of United States’ double standard foreign policy specifically during the George Bush Sr. and Ronald Regan’s administration. The objective of these policies were to dominate the world through military “aggression” and economic means however the administration decided was appropriate. The result was the neglect of American citizens and lack of domestic policy to achieve the ultimate goal of foreign expansion.

Rebirth of Hitler

In pursuit of U.S foreign policy, different administrations have employed the services and collaborated with several Heads of State for several decades past. However, once a Leader deviated his policies away from the interest of the United States, they were quickly deemed as liabilities and the American population was subjected to propaganda. These leaders were quickly equated to Hitler. Cambodia’s Pol Pot, Nicaragua’s Manuel Noriega and Iraq’s Saddam Hussein all collaborated with the Regan Administration. Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge indulged in mass murder but as long as he countered Vietnam his actions were ignored by the U.S Government and kept hidden from the American Public. When the collaboration was terminated he was labeled as, “another Hitler” or some times “worse than Hitler.” Manuel Noriega was heavily involved with the drug cartels, yet he was an ally to the CIA. When he became difficult to handle he was immediately a threat and rose high up on the United States hit list. Saddam Hussein was at one point described by Evans and Novak as, “handsome and toughly elegant,” because he fought the Iranians after the fall of the Shah. Even after reports surfaced that he was using chemical weapons on his own people, the United States Government guaranteed a $ 5 billion loan. His public image in the U.S quickly changed following his invasion of Kuwait and his change in image was contributed by U.S government and media.

Aggression: Naked vs. Properly Attired

The difference lies within the instigator of military action. Saddam’s occupation of Kuwait was labeled as “naked aggression” and no excuse existed whatsoever for the act. On the other hand, in context, the Invasion of Grenada, Panama, Dominican Republic and Indo-China were all justified. Justification extended to those countries who invaded other nations with American approval. The Indonesian invasion of East Timor was immediately preceded by a visit by Gerald Ford and Henry Kissinger to Indonesia. The Israeli invasion of Lebanon too was justified. This justification or “Properly Attired” aggression was provided by the Government through the media once again.

Diplomacy

“Naked aggression” did not receive the same diplomatic protocol as those that were justified. Naked aggressors were to be defeated and humiliated without redemption, all the time holding the U.S to a higher principle. The South African occupation of Namibia was quietly negotiated over many years. The United Nations Council’s condemnations of the occupation and proposed sanctions were thwarted by American votes and veto. The Regan-Bush era called for the termination of the occupation, but consideration was given to the South African interests in the settlement. The South African’s were able to maintain strategic control of a bay and their economic interests in Namibia.

Snow White and the 150 Dwarfs

The 150 Dwarfs represents the allies and potential allies of the United States with regard to the American foreign policy. It simply stands as whatever is good for Snow White (United States) is good for the world.

Goals in Daily Transition

This refers to the customization of information to be passed on to the American public. The reason for the Gulf War was to ensure the supply and stable prices of oil supply to the world. However, George Bush’s energy policy itself raised the prices of oil and petroleum in the United States. Herman claims that not even Saddam alone would be able to push the prices of oil higher than what OPEC is capable off. The occupation of the Kuwait provided American foreign policy an opportunity to place military assets and exert its imperial dominance in the region.

Summary by Shaun Liu