PRESIDENT George W. Bush's recent rhetoric concerning the "axis of evil" may only provide definitive proof that choking on a pretzel and passing out has had a lasting effect on his judgment. Since his State of the Union address, Bush steadily has increased pressure on adding Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein's removal to the list of imperative actions in the campaign against terror. However, Hussein has shown no initiative to attack the United States in recent years and there is no need to remove him at this time.
Why the sense of immediacy to oust a dictator who has done little in the ten years since the Gulf War? It would appear that Bush has overstepped his bounds and expanded the war on terrorism to wipe out anybody who dislikes America -- drawing the United States into a potentially lethal situation without provocation.
Bush doesn't want to underestimate Hussein like the intelligence community did with Osama bin Laden. After Sept. 11, the intelligence community has been scratching its head over how an attack could be coordinated and performed on American soil. Bush cannot afford to be caught with his pants down again if he wants to win reelection. And of course, Bush would love to wipe out the enemy his father never could and avoid the obstacles that held Bush Sr. back from a second term. With unprecedented approval ratings, the president is making not-so-subtle threats toward Hussein. He is making a critical mistake in extending the war on terrorism into a war on all enemies.
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The most disturbing example of the Bush administration's overstepping its bounds is the proposed dissemination of false information to foreign journalists. Word leaked last week to the New York Times that the new Office of Strategic Influence might use the Internet and secret operations to provide false and misleading information to enemies. Strategic deception is a necessary element in combating an enemy, but lying to the foreign press requires lying to the American press and public. Whether this plan is initiated or not, it is clear that Bush is throwing caution out the window.
This militant posturing by Bush may only serve to incite war when war is avoidable. Since former President George W. Bush forced Hussein out of Kuwait more than ten years ago, many stories have emerged about Hussein's storage and attempted acquisition of weapons of mass destruction, but he has taken no direct action against America. Hussein's loathing of America is well documented and worthy of monitoring, but it is unlikely that he would attack and risk U.S. military reprisals that would decimate his country. Hussein's abhorrence for America runs deep, but he knows that a war would be just as one-sided now as it was in 1991. He may be cruel, ruthless and violent, but he's not stupid, suicidal or fanatical enough to attack America without dealing a fatal blow. Like another American enemy, Fidel Castro, he will keep his hatred in check, run his country as he likes, and avoid the United States.
Hussein is not a clear and present danger to the United States, but Bush's deterrence method may push him to action. By pressuring Hussein, Bush is forcing the Iraqi leader into a situation in which he might be forced to attack the United States. Hussein is not a fanatic willing to play the martyr, but if he sees American troops coming, he will launch whatever chemical and nuclear weapons he may have. The United Nations. should be critical this Spring when it attempts to inspect Hussein's weapons, but it should not assume that his buildup is part of an aggressive plan for assault.
This frontal assault on Hussein is a perfect example of why there is such anti-American sentiment in the Middle East. Bin Laden and others despise America and resent its interference with other Arab countries. Bush thinks that he is going to eliminate an enemy, but attacking Iraq only will infuriate more people. If Bush wants to kill Hussein, he can expect three more enemies to arise in defiance of his arrogance.
Bush is making a costly mistake in pursuing the "axis of evil." At a time when the public feels vulnerable and bin Laden remains at large, there is no reason to bring more danger upon the nation. It doesn't matter if he wants to appear tough to his adversaries or if he wants to clean up his father's blunder; his actions will provoke a response which this nation can avoid. Bush may not like Hussein, but the fact remains that Hussein is far more concerned about his own safety than attacking the United States. Hussein may threaten America in the future, but a preemptive strike is unwarranted at this time. Bush hasn't reached the point of no return yet and he still can back down without looking weak. Perhaps he should focus his time working on a career in the Olympic sport of curling, because if he continues along this path, he's more likely to be an Olympic athlete than the American President by the time of the next Olympics.
(Brad Cohen's column appears Thursdays in The Cavalier Daily. He can be reached at bcohen@cavalierdaily.com.)
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