Spring Break
The Daily OrangeExpert suggests U.S. refine foreign strife
By Lauren Houle
Posted: 12/3/04, 1:22 AM EST Section: News
Growing international ire at the United States and its foreign policy is an old topic, but professors and students gathered Thursday to discuss how to salvage America's reputation in the Middle East.
About 20 students and faculty members gathered Thursday for the Program on the Analysis and Resolution of Conflicts' Conversations in Conflict Studies Lecture Series. The lecture, "Terrorism and Constructive American Engagement in the Middle East," was delivered by Louis Kriesberg in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.
Kriesberg, a founder of PARC, focused in his lecture on moving toward resolving the long conflict that has ensued in the Middle East and reducing the "demonization of the enemy" that has created such hostile relations between the United States and the region.
"Anti-Americanism has been with us since the formation of our country," said Peter Baofu, who attended the lecture. "How do you reverse that trend?"
After Sept. 11, the U.S. originally focused their efforts on al-Qaida, but made a swift shift into Iraq which puzzled Kriesberg. He questioned the extent to which Iraq even has to do with al-Qaida, calling the U.S. invasion a terrible distraction from the war on terror.
Kriesberg offered a few alternatives to the current administration's course of action. One possibility he offered was to pursue justice and legal issues. Because the Taliban was ignoring sanctions, Kriesberg said he felt America could have utilized international organizations more.
"At least after we were done with Afghanistan, we turned them over to the United Nations," said Kriesberg. "The U.S. was not generating hatred around the world for its role in Afghanistan like it has done with its role in Iraq. Now we are in a complete mess."
Dr. Kriesberg stressed that with the situation in Iraq, the U.S. needs the reality of eventually leaving Iraq with no permanent bases in the country. A key to improvement in these countries is a bigger role of non-governmental organizations such as civic and religious groups, Kriesberg said. However, he realizes the danger and risks involved with such activism.
About 20 students and faculty members gathered Thursday for the Program on the Analysis and Resolution of Conflicts' Conversations in Conflict Studies Lecture Series. The lecture, "Terrorism and Constructive American Engagement in the Middle East," was delivered by Louis Kriesberg in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.
Kriesberg, a founder of PARC, focused in his lecture on moving toward resolving the long conflict that has ensued in the Middle East and reducing the "demonization of the enemy" that has created such hostile relations between the United States and the region.
"Anti-Americanism has been with us since the formation of our country," said Peter Baofu, who attended the lecture. "How do you reverse that trend?"
After Sept. 11, the U.S. originally focused their efforts on al-Qaida, but made a swift shift into Iraq which puzzled Kriesberg. He questioned the extent to which Iraq even has to do with al-Qaida, calling the U.S. invasion a terrible distraction from the war on terror.
Kriesberg offered a few alternatives to the current administration's course of action. One possibility he offered was to pursue justice and legal issues. Because the Taliban was ignoring sanctions, Kriesberg said he felt America could have utilized international organizations more.
"At least after we were done with Afghanistan, we turned them over to the United Nations," said Kriesberg. "The U.S. was not generating hatred around the world for its role in Afghanistan like it has done with its role in Iraq. Now we are in a complete mess."
Dr. Kriesberg stressed that with the situation in Iraq, the U.S. needs the reality of eventually leaving Iraq with no permanent bases in the country. A key to improvement in these countries is a bigger role of non-governmental organizations such as civic and religious groups, Kriesberg said. However, he realizes the danger and risks involved with such activism.
