THE ROCHE RECORD – BLOWBACK: THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OF AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY

February 2, 2011

by Frank Roche

Chalmers Johnson’s book, “Blowback: The Costs and Consequences of American Empire” was published in 2000.  Johnson tells us the title referred to a term adopted by the CIA to refer to “…the unintended consequences of American policies.”  Johnson cites examples of “Blowback” in the book including Okinawa, North & South Korea, Iran, Iraq, and China.  Watching the video coming out of Egypt today, Egypt may well be added to this list.

The pursuit of protecting American interests, which includes supporting our allies, has for decades involved US policy makers dealing with leaders of countries that are an affront to what America stands for.  Egypt, led by President Hosni Mubarak, has been such a country.  Since President Jimmy Carter was in office, each US President has lent a helping hand to Egypt, praising her as our ally and an important player in Middle East peace working closely with Israel to keep the Sinai demilitarized.  To help maintain balance in the region Egypt has received tens of billions of US dollars in aid ($2 billion per year), mostly directed towards the military.  They have an impressive arsenal of American military hardware and the know how to use it.

While we watch the uprising in Egypt with unease, and we hope that a proper democracy will emerge, one cannot deny there also exists the possibility new leaders may oppose America and our role in the Middle East.  New leaders may gain control who wish to see the end to Israel, who may be willing to once again challenge Israel militarily. 

If we get to that point, the arms Egyptians will be using, and potentially non-Egyptian Islamic terrorists, will be American.

I make no prediction for this to occur, except to say the possibility exists.  Regardless of the ultimate outcome, change in Egypt is coming, and it seems likely that US policy makers could face some degree of “Blowback” after 30 years of working with a leader American citizens would have never tolerated, let alone for 30 years.

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