How the U.S. Is Perceived
Fareed Zakaria’s intelligent article “The Arrogant Empire” (March 24) put into words exactly what I’ve been feeling. America, while flawed in many ways, enjoys a power and wealth that is incomparable. But we seem to forget that with this power comes great responsibility, and while we may have the might to do whatever we want, a nation with no friends will ultimately be alone. This article should be required reading for those making the decisions that will affect this country for years. Mary Alexander Wilmette, Ill.
Let me get this straight. Terrorists fly jets into skyscrapers, Middle Eastern parents strap explosives to their children and direct them to kill as many of the “enemy” as possible, North Korea is ruled by a cartoon character who’d be funny if it weren’t for that unfortunate nuclear business and we now live in a world in which one fanatic with a thermos full of microbes is a walking apocalypse. Yet NEWSWEEK tries to explain to Americans why we scare the world. That’s a good one. Paul Alexander San Antonio, Texas
Your March 24 issue may just be the most important you have published in recent years. Fareed Zakaria did a spectacular job of detailing just how much damage this administration has done to our country in such a short time. As a moderate who voted for Bush, I am stunned and regretful. Most of all, I worry how long it will take the United States to get out of the hole this administration’s shortsighted foreign policies have dug us into–or whether it’s even possible now. James Cirile Los Angeles, Calif.
I am deeply distressed, disappointed and saddened that Fareed Zakaria’s article ran as NEWSWEEK’s cover story on the week our brave men and women went to battle to defend the freedom that allows you to publish such a story. The story may have merit, but the timing is downright sensational and unpatriotic. Susan B. Peck Santa Rosa, Calif.
Fareed Zakaria’s analysis makes complete sense, but I think he missed something. He expressed surprise that the rest of the world hasn’t developed the “balances of power” to counter U.S. power, bucking a clear trend in history. All five members of the Security Council, irrespective of the size of their military budgets, have the nuclear capacity to unleash hell on any other member, and therein lies a natural power balance not likely to go away any time soon. Todd Philipp Honolulu, Hawaii
Fareed Zakaria hits the nail on the head with his characterization of U.S. mis-steps at this “turning point” of the global order. As the world grapples with the fundamental issues of global warming, ending impunity for war crimes, rebuilding failing states and fighting terrorism, America has dictated from its soapbox rather than lead in the trenches of multilateral diplomacy. America must reverse course and make this “declining moment” a “defining moment” through collaborative global engagement. Continuing on a unilateral path will only further isolate our country and harm our real, long-term security interests. Heather B. Hamilton Director of Programs, World Federalist Association Washington, D.C.
Maybe it’s time to garner billions for Homeland Security to protect ourselves by ending economic aid to those countries who pledge allegiance to our money, but run and hide when a politically dangerous line gets drawn in the sand. Frances Stoll Leesburg, Va.
Your cover story, “Why America Scares the World and What to Do About It,” provides some excellent insights into the attitudes of Europe and much of the Middle East. I look forward to a follow-up cover story: “Why the U.N. Is Ineffective and What to Do About It.” Leslie Anderson Encinitas, Calif.
Unless the leaders of the United States start initiating positive programs for international harmony, the world will be in trouble for generations to come. Yes, terrorists like Osama bin Laden must be brought to justice and this can best be done through international cooperation. But the war on Iraq is the wrong war. The true enemy is the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The United States could gain the high ground by proposing a peaceful program through the United Nations, backed by our tremendous financial resources, that would rid the world of these terrible weapons. Norman D. Carter Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
How many 9-11 incidents must occur and how many innocent people must die at the hands of tyrants before we realize that there must be someone willing to take a stand against evil? Those who are resentful of America are those who would do us, and others, harm. The world should understand that only terrorists and tyrannical regimes need fear America. Joe Lanave Newnan, Ga.
America should be setting an example of how to behave as a thoughtful member of the world community rather –than arrogantly ignoring majority opinion. Strength often manifests itself best through discourse rather than discord. Melanie Klaput Pittsburgh, Pa.
Other countries are afraid of us? It’s about time. Any country that does not do everything possible to rid the world of terrorists, stop future terrorism and alert those who are potential targets of terrorists had better be afraid of us. I don’t have a problem with that at all, and anyone who does has already forgotten September 11. Mitchel A. Woltersdorf Wichita, Kans.
As a former history teacher, I applaud Fareed Zakaria for his insightful essay “The Arrogant Empire.” If only it were required reading for today’s high-school students! Rosemary Miner Pelkey Wevertown, N.Y.
We may be perceived as an arrogant empire, but who else in the world is going to do what needs to be done? As the world’s only superpower, it is up to us to provide the leadership. I don’t see any other democratic country stepping up to enforce human rights or helping to rid the world of villains. We are also one of the world’s biggest providers of humanitarian and foreign aid. Maybe we are self-serving in some ways, but when was the last time anyone asked us if we needed $6 billion in aid? Kirk Hutchinson Fredonia, N.Y.
As a veteran, I resent the implication by some of your writers and readers that supporting the troops and being against this war are mutually exclusive. It seems to me that if one truly wishes to have all the soldiers return home alive, one would not wish to use them as imperialist aggressors in a personal vendetta between two arrogant and self-righteous leaders. Richard Fochtmann Leeds, Maine
We shouldn’t ask why they are afraid of us. We should ask, “Why have we put up with these sick, murderous regimes for so long?” Fred Burton San Diego, Calif.
Apart from Colin Powell, the people on the Bush team have consistently demonstrated that they think of themselves as standing above history, able to manipulate world events but not subject to the world community. The sooner our administration, or the voters, recognize the political and economic need to respect other nations in our global network, the sooner we can begin to repair our global relationships. Barbara Hardie Sylva, N.C.
It upsets me greatly to read that the United States scares the world, when year after year we seek to protect freedom and democracy. Why else would thousands of people come to America each year, as I did in 1960 to escape communism? When other countries don’t have the courage to do so, we are ready to prevent tyrants from destroying the world. Have we forgotten Hitler and World War II so quickly? Gen. George S. Patton reputedly said “I would rather have a German division in front of me than a French one behind me.” Personally, I would rather have a president who protects my freedom than one who hides in the Oval Office. Alfonso A. Cardenas Cushing, Okla.
I am an ex-marine with a purple Heart from Vietnam, and the America I see today is not the America I bled for, killed for and would have given my life for. It’s not the beloved country I told my kids about. This America is a rogue government, an arrogant aggressor invading another sovereign nation in defiance of the United Nations and international law. This America is doing the very things I went to war to prevent other nations from doing. Peter V. Fossel Goodlettsville, Tenn.
We have gone into this war with Iraq with blinders rather than seeing the broader picture. We will win the war, but will we win the peace? It is unfortunate that the Bush administration is following a pattern of ignoring international law, treaties and the opinions of other countries, putting us at greater risk in the future. Kent J. Minor Columbus, Ohio
Correction
In “The Arrogant Empire,” we said that Saddam gassed 60,000 of his own people in Halabjah in 1986. In fact, the gassing was in 1988, and killed 5,000 (though it wounded thousands more). NEWSWEEK regrets the error.
