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Can Bush Dig Himself Out of a Hole?

Bhuwan Thapaliya - 11/7/2006

George W. Bush was swept into power for a second term promising that things could "only get better" in the fight against the terrorism. But looking back now, who can deny that they have not gotten better. Two years on, America is a different place and Americans are beginning to doubt both the moral basis of the Bush administration's fight against terrorism and its corporate invasion of Iraq.

A majority of Americans are opposed to Bush's handling of Iraq, and increasing numbers of Republican candidates have booed the president's policies, as U.S. deaths in Iraq have soared above 2,800. The American masses are not confident. Politicians are shaky. American diplomats, once strong, are weakening. The extreme ideological debates are coming to the fore again, on the streets and in the Senate.
Moreover, having understood the double standards of the Bush administration in dealing with the world in the name of fighting the terrorism, an impassable chasm has appeared between the Bush administration and much of the rest of the world. The president's influence both in international and domestic affairs is at an all-time low.

To make matters worse for the Bush administration, a gloomy situation in Iraq is matched by spreading unease in America about the war ahead of mid-term congressional elections. As violence escalates in Iraq, the focus on America becomes increasingly uncomfortable -- moderates, whether scholars, analysts, authors or religious figures, invariably put forth the argument that American troops are facing a serious problem.

The Bush Administration has failed to create an effective, inclusive environment in Iraq, which might have influenced many Iraqis to accept an American presence in Iraq. In a remarkable turn of events, acknowledging painful losses in Iraq, Bush himself admitted that the situation had deteriorated and that he was not satisfied with the progress of the war.

Nonetheless, he still insisted that the U.S. was winning and that it should not consider withdrawing. "This stubborn approach of Mr. Bush is likely to exacerbate a rapidly growing social and political discontent," said an observer. Expectedly, opposition leaders have accused the Bush administration of using Iraq to conveniently cover up the failures of its policies.

Now, the question is not how much Iraq is changing under the Bush administration but whether it is changing for good or for bad. There is a growing indication that America may not be able to fulfill its goal, as violence between Sunni and Shia groups seems to be escalating. Some analysts say the U.S. has lost the war.

American generals are calling for more troops but there are no troops to send. Nor does increasing the number of troops seem likely to do much good. Unfortunately for the Bush administration, attacks in Baghdad this month have risen substantially, even though thousands of extra American soldiers have been poured into the Iraqi capital.

American officials now admit that efforts to curb the killings in Baghdad are failing. How many civilians must die before the Bush administration will admit that Iraq is embroiled in a civil war?

Observers fear that with Iraq's own army unable to take control in much of the country, an American pullout would open the door to a more intense civil war. However, analysts say that the Iraqi people, not foreigners, must take charge. Iraqi sovereignty must be reestablished immediately. But it won't be so long as American troops reside in Iraq.

Meanwhile, Republicans are finding the domestic political environment less hostile. But the truth remains. America will remain in Iraq and this is unlikely to change anytime soon.

While Iraq moves toward an economic, political and social meltdown, the Bush administration is relying on war gimmickry in a desperate attempt to stave off an imminent political collapse. If a miraculous bailout doesn't materialize soon, it will be difficult for the Bush administration to pull itself out of the current impasse.