Exactly five years ago, the United States was attacked by a group of professional terrorists. Initially in shock, the nation quickly responded with anger and vigor. President Bush declared a "War on Terror" and used the might of the U.S. military to attack or threaten any global elements perceived to be hostile to the security of the United States, such as the "Axis of Evil." Despite much controversy, the Bush administration launched a pre-emptive strike on Iraq with the strong conviction that the overthrow of Saddam Hussein would weaken the support of terrorist organizations and bring stability to the Middle East.
Five years after the Sept. 11 attacks, we need to ask how successful the "War on Terror" has been. Has the world become safer through President Bush's bold policies against the rogue nations and organizations? To this ambiguous question, my answer is also ambiguous. Yes, in the short run, the superior strength of the United States has temporally beset its enemies. It is true that not a single terrorist act has happened on U.S. soil since the Sept. 11 attacks. However, it is also true that the current foreign policy of this administration has been very costly to the nation, and it is doubtful how long the United States can continue on the same course.
Against the hostile actions of the terrorists, the United States responded with equal vigor. President Bush stated that the world must either be with or against the United States on this "War on Terror" and showed willingness to initiate unilateral actions for the security of this nation. Immediately after the Sept. 11 attacks, nearly all nations (and nearly all Americans) showed support for President Bush's resolute leadership. Today, a sense of frustration and exhaustion sweeps the world and inside the United States as many question how much longer the current policy of the Bush administration must continue before the "War of Terror" can be won.
In the past five years, growing friction occurred between the United States and many of its allies as the allied nations became concerned that the U.S. policy undermines their national interests. As the United States became entangled with difficult reconstruction work in Iraq, it began to show signs of vulnerability and weakness in other regions, such as Latin America and East Asia. Inside the country, the support for the current commander in chief has dropped drastically in recent years. For five years, Americans spent billions of tax dollars and accepted the deaths of about 3,000 soldiers abroad to support the "War on Terror." However, many Americans are now disillusioned with the indefinite continuation of the war and pressure the Bush administration to either win the war quickly or find an honorable exit strategy.
The Bush administration is strongly opposed to retreating from Iraq. However, it's doubtful how long the United States can rely on its might alone to continue monitoring the Middle East, much less track the whole world for terrorists. Sometimes securing a victory is harder than gaining it. For five years the United States has taken strong unilateral measures to isolate the terrorist threat. Signs are showing that if the United States does not now prudently reform its foreign policies to be more flexible, the nation's military capacity will reach its limit and heavy backlash will come from both the frustrated Americans and the global community. The United States cannot promote global peace for long without support from other nations. It cannot receive support from them without engaging in cumbersome but necessary diplomacy. A strong military is vital to national security, but so are international respect and a healthy alliance system.
I sincerely hope the Bush Administration will succeed in reducing global unrest and thwart the growth of international terrorism. With two years still left in his term, President Bush should consider pragmatic ways to disengage from the costly reconstruction effort in Iraq and regain the ability to more decisively deal with other global crises (such as North Korea). The legacy of the tragic Sept. 11 attacks must be victory over the small but capable groups of terrorists who gain power through an environment of hate and violence. The Bush administration has fought hard, but to win, it should engage in new policies that can bring lasting strength and support to the just and enforceable global order. It is my hope that when President Bush leaves his office in 2009, America will truly be "Strong at Home and Respected Abroad."
Jong Eun Lee is a sophomore in the College of Arts and sciences and a liberal columnist for The Eagle.
