The Iraq War: A Legacy of American Hubris
The Iraq war, known for being sold on lies and poorly executed, has come to symbolize American hubris in the 21st century. With hundreds of thousands of lives lost and the U.S. entangled in a prolonged and costly conflict, it is widely regarded as a mistake. Surprisingly, some of the staunchest supporters of the Iraq invasion are now throwing their support behind Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming presidential election.
Former Vice President Dick Cheney, one of the principal architects of the Iraq War, is leading the charge in endorsing Harris. Other prominent figures from the Bush era, such as Bill Kristol, Alberto Gonzales, and former staffers for Senator John McCain, have also pledged their support. In turn, Harris is embracing this newfound right-wing fan club, highlighting endorsements from over 200 Republican staffers who worked for George W. Bush, McCain, and Senator Mitt Romney.
While these war hawks claim to be endorsing Harris to stop Donald Trump, their alignment with the Democratic nominee suggests a shared vision for U.S. foreign policy. Both parties are united in their commitment to preserving American hegemony and preventing the emergence of a multipolar world. Cheney, known for his role in the Iraq War and the U.S.’s torture regime, has even inspired his daughter, former Representative Liz Cheney, to launch a PAC to support Harris’s campaign.
This marks a departure from the past two decades of Democratic presidential campaigns, which were built on a rejection of the Bush administration and its disastrous war in Iraq. Candidates like John Kerry in 2004 and Barack Obama in 2008 capitalized on the unpopularity of the war to secure their electoral victories. Even in 2016, the Iraq War remained a major issue in the Democratic primary, with Senator Bernie Sanders criticizing Hillary Clinton’s support for the war.
However, the endorsement from one of the biggest war criminals in recent history is now seen as an asset rather than a liability. The Harris campaign is not just courting moderates and conservatives for short-term electoral gains; they are actively embracing neoconservative ideas. During her keynote address at the Democratic National Convention, Harris pledged to maintain the strongest military force in the world, while the party blocked Palestinian Americans from speaking about Israel’s actions in Gaza.
The Democratic Party’s 2024 platform reflects a rightward shift in foreign policy. The section on ending forever wars and opposing regime change, present in the 2020 platform, was completely removed. The party went from calling for an end to U.S. support for Saudi Arabia’s brutal war in Yemen to championing the Biden administration’s plan for a normalization deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia, potentially endangering American lives.
One of the most significant changes in the platform relates to Iran policy. While Harris’s national security adviser helped negotiate the Iran nuclear deal, others in her circle have suggested that a Harris administration would not seek to return to the agreement. This aligns with Trump’s approach, as both candidates tried to outflank each other on issues like China, immigration, and crime during the recent debate.
Unfortunately, these bloodthirsty policies do not align with the will of the American people. The majority of Americans want the U.S. to focus on domestic issues and withdraw from endless wars. However, the circles of power in the U.S. seem increasingly disconnected from the desires of the people. As a result, voters who seek a serious alternative in November may be left without one, and the consequences for the country and the world will be significant.
In conclusion, the support of former war hawks for Kamala Harris raises questions about the true motivations behind their endorsement. While they claim to oppose Trump, their alignment with Harris suggests a shared vision for U.S. foreign policy. The Democratic Party’s rightward shift and embrace of neoconservative ideas further highlight the disconnect between the political establishment and the will of the American people.