Shit Or Get Off The Pot

A. Stout Babbitt


President George Bush has declared a foreign policy initiative of unilateral first strike, in his statements to Congress that all forces aimed at destroying our great republic ought be stamped out before they ever get rolling. Further befuddling an already murky conflict against underworld characters, rogue statesmen, drug dealers, and what in general Hollywood would portray as mean looking scoundrels in black hats. Men who drank their rye straight, and whose spur jangling entrance into any saloon caused the piano player to quit and run for cover. This new declared policy, smacks of shoot first and ask questions later, and while it may cause floosies to swoon, and melt the bravado of card playing toughies, it has no place on the international scene. Foreign policy aint the old west, no matter how appealing it may seem to draw such a neat conclusion. Furthermore, by declaring the right of preemptive strike, the nature and effectiveness of such a strike is diminished, the economy goes into a tumble waiting for the inevitable, corporations move to reserved fiscal policies, oil prices go through the roof reducing American productivity and output, not to mention the rise in oil prices lines the pockets of Iraqi oil ministers and Saudi princes both. Foreign policy is far more similar to school-yard bullying tactics than anything as bloody and complex as a Hollywood cowboy movie. Beat the kid up once, and continue taking his money, shoes, underwear, whatever, for as long as the threat remains, and once it subsides, beat him up again. For that matter, having been a target for such activity in my childhood years, I can attest, that no bully has ever declared his intentions to bloody my nose before doing so. The threat was far more subtle, and pervasive.

The Israelis are masters of the method and strategy behind preemptive strike. In 1967 not a whisper was uttered about intentions to attack on all fronts and clear Nasser's mounting threat in the Sinai and Syria's constant shelling in the northern part of Israel. Within six days, and with few Israeli losses, the entire Arab military machine was dismantled. This act spoke far more resolutely about Israeli military doctrine in the Middle East, than any speech to Congress could ever have. It established a rule of supremacy within the region, and clear boundaries of tolerance for aggression. In 1980 the Iraqi nuclear program was derailed by another Israeli first strike effort, and though incredulous in these times, an iconic American Republican president, Ronald Reagan, condemned the destruction of the facility. The Israelis learned long ago, that preemptive strikes require preemptive planning and approval, not debate, congressional support, and political reconciliation of potential fall-out. A simple logical framework whereby aggressive action or planning, is met by ten times the force, and full and complete destruction of the threat with as little collateral damage as possible. In the destruction of the Iraqi reactor there was one fatality, a French atomic scientist, and though I might write a tome on French foreign policy blunders over the ages, and negligent exportation of armaments to outrageously irresponsible regimes, one French scientist was a hefty price. Though on the other hand, one French scientist was a paltry sum for the relative safety and stability the region has enjoyed sans one weapons grade reactor in the wrong hands.

Preemptive strikes work, because they are unexpected. Surprise is such an effective weapon because it allows the attacker the ability to choose the exact moment to strike, maximizing the potential for success, and minimizing the inevitable collateral damage. A military and political success may be recognized and achieved through careful intelligence, excellent planning, and having the fortitude to wait for the correct moment and the ability to strike with purpose.

What was it that FDR said about carrying a big stick? Expressly that one should speak softly, so as to minimize perceived threat and maximize the devastation of the blow. Bullies do it all the time, it never took more than a glance from Lumpy to set the Beaver into fits of hysteria behind June Cleavers skirts. So take a lesson from the Israelis Mr. President, leave Hollywood notions in the Nevadan desert and decaying film canisters. Draw a line in the sand Mr. President, watch carefully as your enemy crosses it, and strike with aim and purpose.