A panel of experts criticized the Bush Administration’s handling of international and domestic affairs Wednesday in Gaston Hall. Wesley K. Clark, a retired general and former NATO Supreme Allied Commander, moderated the program titled “America After the War.”
Other panelists included Richard Holbrooke, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Laura D’Andrea Tyson, former National Economic Adviser to President Clinton, and John Sweeney, President of the AFL-CIO.
Discussion centered around three main areas: U.S.-relations with the United Nations, reconstruction in postwar Iraq and relations with the Muslim world.
Fritz Stern, Professor Emeritus at Columbia University, criticized the Bush Administration’s methods of diplomacy, calling the actions a “radical break” from that of all previous administrations that left the world “impressed and intimidated.”
Clyde V. Prestowitz, President of the Economic Strategy Institute, commented that a recent poll of Asian businessmen named American hegemony as the largest threat facing the world. Even the Netherlands, Prestowitz stated, views the United States as a “rogue nation.”
Holbrooke commented that the Administration’s “belligerent and insulting” comments directed towards France and Germany were inappropriate. While the United Nations may be flawed, “America should strengthen, not weaken it-to strengthen it is to strengthen our own national security.”
Stern stressed the importance of a successful postwar reconstruction “after the war, but before the peace.”
Holbrooke reaffirmed that view, stating that the outcome in Iraq is an issue of “historical importance.” He stressed that the postwar reconstruction will be “longer, more costly, and more difficult that anyone predicted.”
Walter Issacson, president and CEO of the Aspen Institute and former CEO of CNN, felt that the most important question is whether Iraq will become more dangerous or a bedrock of democracy in the region.
The discussion of Muslim relations focused on America’s lack of understanding of the Muslim world. Using the example of America’s wars on fascism and communism to highlight the importance of understanding, Holbrooke called the war on terror a “struggle of ideas.” He stressed the need for the government to put more effort into researching the fundamentals for which Islamic extremists are fighting.
The debate on domestic issues focused on the economy, unemployment, education and social programs. Clark opened the domestic debate with his comparison of the standard of living in the armed forces, and the standard of living seen across America.
The panel sharply criticized the administration for failing to address domestic issues that affect a large number of Americans. Mocking the president’s slogan for education, “leave no child behind,” John Sweeney, president of the AFL-CIO, accused President Bush following a policy to instead “leave no donor behind.”
The panelists agreed that security is the biggest issue, both on the world stage and at home. In order for the economy or society to be successful-people must feel secure.
The basic question, said Clark, is “are we safer today?”
