Friday, January 02, 2004
The pro-US Arabic newspaper Al-Hayat has on its first page a sad story: it is about a Saudi nurse who was sent to Iraq to help in relief and hospitliazation work. At a checkpoint, he was arrested by US troops, and imprisoned. He alleges that he was tortured, denied water, and forced to eat pork meat. Apparently, not only is the US winning hearts and minds in Iraq: the program has now expanded, and the US is keen on winning every heart and every mind in every Arab or Muslim country. Now Bush may not have known much about foreign policy when he assumed office, but now you cannot but be impressed with his great diplomatic skills and deep understanding of international affairs. In another term, who knows: he may manage to start a war with Canada or Mexico, or both. And remember: he is the most admired man in the US. I call that leadership.