62 online
 
Most Popular Choices
Share on Facebook 3 Printer Friendly Page More Sharing
OpEdNews Op Eds   

When Empires Fade

By Mumia Abu-Jamal  Posted by Hans Bennett (about the submitter)       (Page 1 of 1 pages)   1 comment
Message Hans Bennett

 Listen to the radio-essay here.

 

[col. writ. 5/21/08] (c) '08 Mumia Abu-Jamal


Two things brought me to this topic; the fading of empires.

First, reading an article on the heyday of the British Empire, and their efforts to suppress popular resistance to their rule in parts of Asia; and secondly, the reception of US President George W. Bush, when he recently ventured to the Middle East in search of lower oil prices and relevancy.

Both were eye-opening.

The former for what it revealed about the lengths to which empires will go to hold on to power; the latter for how quickly power and influence can slip away.

Ostensibly, an American President is a kind of temporary global monarch, for his (?) power is so vast that, as Iraq showed, whole societies can be upended, their lives, economy, politics and culture shattered-quite literally, on one person's whim.

Yet, as we've also seen, that power is not absolute, and can be challenged by the most unlikely of opponents.

It has costs, some of which are the precipitous decline in Bush's popularity, and the corresponding fall in American prestige.

One instance was when Bush begged the Saudis for a break in oil prices and a loosening in supplies. The Saudi princes coolly declined his requests; nothing personal - it's just business.

Then the president was scheduled to meet with Lebanon's embattled Prime Minister, Fuad Saniora, but Saniora called to cancel the meeting. He apparently had a more important meeting planned with high-ranking members of Hezbollah.

Such sights aren't seen everyday. They are markers of how the US is seen -often by it's 'friends'!

Egyptian journalist Hisham Qassem observed, on the latest Bush visit and his reception, "It was clear that America is neither loved nor feared," a remarkable statement that would've hardly been heard some 8 years ago. *

When the British Empire was trying to hold on to its imperial properties in Asia, it formed treacherous military units called the Special Operation Volunteer force (SOVF) in Malaysia, composed of ex-communists who hunted down their former comrades and butchered them for bucks.

After their dirty deeds, they were paid blood money, their crimes were written off the books, they were given false identities, and they were released into Malaysian society, some doubtless forming criminal networks.

The US performed similar tricks during Operation Phoenix in Vietnam during the war. Few of us know, even now, the full dimensions of Operation Phoenix and how it ravaged Vietnamese society. We know, of course, how the Vietnam War turned out.

If these events tell us anything, it is that empires are capable of immense violence, but there comes a time when even their influence fades.

No empire can last forever.

I think we are witnessing the fading of this one.

--(c) '08 maj


[*Sources: Levinson, Charles, "Bush's Mideast words go over hot, cold: Trip ends in Egypt with a bit of a thud, analysts say, "USA Today, Mon., May 19, 2008, p.6A.; Williams, Gwydion M., "Notes On the News". Labour & Trade Union Review. (No. 180: March 2008) pp.13-14; (http://www.ltureview.com) ]

Rate It | View Ratings

Hans Bennett Social Media Pages: Facebook page url on login Profile not filled in       Twitter page url on login Profile not filled in       Linkedin page url on login Profile not filled in       Instagram page url on login Profile not filled in

Hans Bennett is a multi-media journalist mostly focusing on the movement to free Mumia Abu-Jamal and all political prisoners. An archive of his work is available at insubordination.blogspot.com and he is also co-founder of "Journalists for Mumia," (more...)
 
Go To Commenting
The views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
Writers Guidelines

 
Contact EditorContact Editor
Support OpEdNews

OpEdNews depends upon can't survive without your help.

If you value this article and the work of OpEdNews, please either Donate or Purchase a premium membership.

STAY IN THE KNOW
If you've enjoyed this, sign up for our daily or weekly newsletter to get lots of great progressive content.
Daily Weekly     OpEd News Newsletter
Name
Email
   (Opens new browser window)
 

Most Popular Articles by this Author:     (View All Most Popular Articles by this Author)

OpEdNews.com: An interview with Rob Kall

Organizing to Abolish the Prison-Industrial Complex

AUDIO & PRESS RELEASE: New Mumia Crime Scene Photos Unveiled for First Time in the US!

The Assassination of Fred Hampton -- a Book Review

To View Comments or Join the Conversation:

Tell A Friend