War and Animal Instinct
Peace and tranquility, health and happiness, fame and fortune are what most of us aspire to and work for, the Constitution of the United States even spells out what the founders considered a vital element in the establishment of the government so many have given their lives defending; …life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Of course this is all well and good, to “…form a more perfect union…” is a most honorable and human thing to do but, as we can see, it is hard to attain for a couple of reasons. Most influential of those reasons is simply the fact that we human beings are still animals—although calculating, analytical animals—I admit but nevertheless animals with animal instincts. Among those instincts is the compelling drive to survive, so much so that we have an abundance of rules, laws, traditions, religions and customs that for the most part keep us in check while we exercise our right to survive in a civilized way, but barely. Animal survival depends on two things; procreation and establishing who the alpha-dog is. Throughout the last few thousand years the human animal has recognized the need to do this amicably. The example I have in mind is Iran and that countries nuclear ambitions. Ahmadinejad wants desperately to be the alpha-dog and so did President Bush when he was in office. That dogfight between Bush and Ahmadinejad ended in favor of Bush. Iran’s leader knew the US was in control and didn’t advance his cause quite as aggressively but now President Obama enters the fracas determined to communicate equality by lying down and rolling over exposing his vulnerable underside. The predictable outcome from this kind of social work diplomacy is certain to be perceived as weakness on the part of the US and reason for Ahmadinejad to act more brazenly. Did you read the Associated Press article today about Iran digging mass graves in which to bury US troops or that Iran has activated equipment to enrich uranium more efficiently, a move that defied the UN Security Council? Ahmadinejad is showing his teeth, growling and circling the alpha dog waiting for just the right moment to attack. Does this mean that I am thinking war, no it doesn’t. Iran has the upper hand now and will not push to engage the US and our allies in conventional military action, however, they will continue to use the strategy that has guaranteed them the most success; saber-rattling, deception and patience. Right now, as things stand diplomatically and militarily, our hands are tied—we know that, they know that, our enemies know that and so do our allies.
Marvin Wiebener
http://marvinwiebener.tatepublishing.net
