SOCIAL IMPRESSIONS

With Saddam Hussein captured, tried and executed, the American “War on Terrorism” has expanded its focus beyond Al-Qaida and Iraq. Lebanon-based terrorist organization, Hezbollah, is now included in President Bush’s “Axis of Evil”. According to U.S. Intelligence, the 2006 conflict involving Israel and Lebanon has heightened America’s concern. Due to its alliance with Israel, America is worried about hostile attacks on its soil that would threaten the safety of its people.

The Bush administration will continue its efforts to diminish Al-Qaida, as the organization’s power and prevalence is still quite strong. This is true despite many of its key leaders being captured, and several cells having been infiltrated and closed down. Al-Qaida has not sustained any permanent damage imposed by America and has continued to grow despite attempts to disseminate the organization.

Iraq also continues to be a focal point of American efforts. In order to establish a secular democratic government, President Bush announced on Wednesday that he intends to deploy more than 20,000 soldiers to collapse the sectarian violence in Iraq. That decision has been met with significant skepticism from the Democrats and moderate Republicans. According to a recent AP poll, 70 percent of Americans also oppose this decision.

Bush has repeatedly claimed that his main goal is to garner a “win” in Iraq. Many political scientists speculate that the White House is attempting to prevent a similar outcome to Vietnam. The administration seems to be stuck between a rock and a hard place. If the U.S. doesn’t diminish Hezbollah and Al-Qaida, and control the situation in Iraq, they will continue their attacks against Americans including foreign embassies and massive attacks on US soil like 9-11. However, if the U.S. does attack them, that will only feed their anger. Is there a middle ground in this situation?