Observers were quick to draw parallels between the Sept. 11 attacks and Japan's bombing of Pearl Harbor. Perhaps instead of looking at the beginning of World War II, we should focus on the end. With the help of our allies, the United States dismantled the vile fascist regimes of Germany and Japan, and through temporary provisional governments and economic aid packages, namely the Marshall Plan, rebuilt Japan and countries in Europe into vibrant, self-regulating, democratic nations.
That experience can be applied to today's situation. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., suggested in Thursday's New York Times that global war against terrorism would fail if the United States '[left] in place the regime that aids and abetted these acts of war against the United States.' If McCain is right and we need to destroy governments aiding terrorists, the United States needs to think about the implications of deconstructing nations. A U.S.-led war not encouraging peace and freedom would be more than a failure'it would be an abomination. The United States cannot leave nations in rubble, especially those whose people suffered under oppressive governments. As was the case following World War II, the United States must see it as a duty to help rebuild these nations, both politically and economically.
Americans shouldn't forget that our people once lived in dark times. In 1776, America was fortunate enough to have individuals with the ability to rise up against oppression. Now, however, those in nations governed by oppression have no means to secure life, liberty and happiness. Our nation has the ability to help the people of nations such as Afghanistan and Iraq to realize their right to freedom, overthrow regimes that unjustly govern them and put in place institutions encouraging democratization, allowing freedom to thrive and nations to prosper. It's a unique chance to protect our own citizens from harm and help others make their lives less fearful and more free.
For the United States to push nation reconstruction, several events need to take place. Our nation must be certain that these governments are in fact harboring terrorists. The United States must then provide clear proof to the international community that these governments endorsed terrorism. Efforts to bring the terrorists to trial should be exhausted. The location of terrorist camps, buildings, arms warehouses and homes of leaders should be identified along with key military and government institutions. Military operations can then be conducted to destroy them in tandem with efforts to capture and, if necessary, kill the terrorist leaders. The leaders of these oppressive regimes should then be deposed and brought to trial before international courts.
Afterwards, the United States can conduct a massive effort of nation reconstruction by instituting provisional governments under the auspices of the United Nations. Individuals from the nations supporting democratization should be placed in positions of power until elections can take place. Aid can be provided to leaders in crafting laws that protect democratic institutions and the freedoms and rights of citizens they govern.
Additionally, just as Europe was financially supported after World War II, the United States, with help from other nations, needs to economically prop up the deconstructed nations by providing debt-free aid, loan packages and incentives for companies to promote business there.
One barrier to free-market economies in nations like Iraq and Afghanistan is a lack of resources: Agriculture is difficult, raw materials are scarce and the workforce is untrained. The United States can provide materials to find innovative ways to use the resources they do have and discover niche markets. Education is key and modern systems of learning should be founded within the context of their cultures. Learning to program computers or run hospitals doesn't subvert religion or culture if those rights are protected by the nation's laws. With the world's loose borders and free trade, we must also reward the nations in that region that decry terrorism and move towards democracy through economic aid, lest they stray from the path toward freedom.
Recent events have kindled a rage within our nation's citizenry, fueled by our political leaders' rhetoric and maintained by our media's relentless coverage. Fortunately, the rage has gradually subsided. In its place, we, as Americans, need to be mindful of our implicit duty as a wealthy, powerful and peace-loving country to foster and promote freedom. Nation rebuilding, and providing better lives for citizens, is a real way to prove that high ideals are worth the fight.
