TAndP unveils new Iraq Peace Plan

[many a good man]

The world is now experiencing blow back from a half century of criminal, anti-democratic Cold War interventions by the United States in its fight against Communism and its quest for global economic domination. Terrorism is the most blatant current manifestation of this phenomenon. The absence of a mediating foreign power has emboldened the current right wing regime in the US to unprecedented depths of ruthlessness in an effort to perpetuate its dominance.

Once seen as a model for freedom and democracy, the United States is now feared and shamed by its unilateralist, militant approach to international problems. For the sake of global order, economic and environmental sustainability, it must embark on a new course. It must regain its moral standing as the beacon of liberal democracy and use its position as hegemon to lead the world to a future of stability and relative peace.

It is now clear that the Iraq War is a blunder of historic proportions. But immediate withdrawal would likely result in even greater instability in the region which is most crucial to global economic development because of its vast petroleum reserves. The only way out of the morass Iraq has become is to recognize the interdependencies of the political problems in the region and make an unprecedented act of contrition and humility. We must forge a new international coalition whose aim will be to stabilize the region and provide a blueprint for future cooperation.


The following steps must be taken by the next leader of the United States of America to undo the fatal blows to American prestige and influence:

1) Immediately ratify the Kyoto Accord on Global Climate Change to symbolize commitment to international cooperation.

2) Join the International Criminal Court without conditions. Make all US soldiers and their military and civilian leaders in the current Iraq conflict subject to its jurisdiction.

3) Fully engage US leverage to pursue resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict. Require plebiscites in both Israel and Palestine on ratification of the peace accord advanced by Clinton. Approval by both sides will lead to the immediate creation of a Palestinian state with security enforced by a large international peacekeeping contingent. Threat of complete withdrawal of all US aid to Israel may be used to ensure Israeli compliance. Palestinians will cede right of return in exchange for billions in reconstruction aid. Jerusalem will be declared an "international city" under the jurisdiction of a neutral UN.

4) An international coalition headed by the UN will be responsible for the political and economic reconstruction of Iraq and its internal security. The United States military will maintain a smaller force in Iraq to provide security to Iraq and the region's oil fields, pipelines, and sea lanes. Semi-autonomous states will be created in the Kurdish north and Shiite south with oversight by a weak central government that preserves Iraq's present-day borders. A constitution that safeguards basic human rights will be established. The Sunni triangle of central Iraq will comprise the third semi-autonomous region that will be under the control of the UN until a legitimate pluralistic civil state can be established; Baghdad will remain Iraq's national capital city.

5) The United States will issue a proclamation affirming the UN's central role in conflict resolution and peacekeeping. The proclamation will recognize the organic nature of political development and renounce the imposition of political systems by outside nations. It will recognize the awakening political aspirations of all peoples in the world and permit them to develop politically in their own way as long as they can respect basic human rights and renounce the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

6) The United States will double its contribution of foreign aid to developing countries and democratize the IMF. It will encourage changes in WTO guidelines to protect international labor rights.

7) The United States will spearhead a global research effort in developing alternative energy resources and share the results freely with all nations.

These changes, if adopted, will lead to greater international stability and enhance the power of the United States by demonstrating its leadership in morality and justice. Backed by the preponderance of economic and military strength of the United States, the United Nations will at last be able to fulfill its mission in the way it was intended. Commitment to the elimination of global poverty and development of a new energy paradigm will reduce tensions throughout the world and create a path to a future of progress and prosperity.

[ablbodyed]

1. I commend you....

for this well-thought-out program. Would that the world could see its implementation but I feel idealism is a lost cause. Kerry could never do that: he'd be assassinated because too many sacred cows are at stake.
I love my country, but I loath its current leadership: they have taken a somewhat respected foreign policy and turned it into a lightning rod for all the rightous hatreds of thinking people everywhere. That there still so many in this country that HAVE NO CLUE is shameful.
God help us.

[many a good man]

2. Practical and Realistic

At least I thought I was trying to be. Given the grave importance of the goals we need to accomplish in face of the horrible shame and failure of the past 4 years, extraordinary measures are called for. Further evidence of war crimes combined with multiple retaliatory terrorists attacks might make my recommendations seem a lot more palatable. I certainly hope these things don't happen, but nevertheless I think we should urge our leaders to adopt a much more idealistic vision of world leadership than we have seen so far.