Monday, September 17, 2012

US should introspect root cause of 'Benghazi tragedy'

U.S. ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens and another three diplomats were killed in an anti-U.S. protest in Benghazi, Libya on the night of Sept. 11. This is the first U.S. ambassador who has been killed on duty since 1979. The violent act against diplomatic personnel evoked strongest condemnation from international community. The direct cause of the violent attack is a U.S. anti-Islamic film which insults the Prophet Muhammad. Egypt and other Islamic countries also join the anti-U.S. protests. Obviously, the violent attack reveals the drawbacks of U.S. policy in the Middle East. More than one year ago, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members insisted on using military attacks to promote the regime change in Libya. Many analysts warned that as the complex internal conflicts in Libya has existed for a long time, the external military intervention might lead to a chaotic situation in the country. Now, the death of U.S. diplomatic personnel in Benghazi highlights the fragile security situation and severe internal conflicts in Libya. Many "liberated" Libyans do not have any gratitude to the United States as expected.In fact, the condition generally exists in the Middle East. The biased, two-sided and contradictory U.S. policy in the Middle East has sowed seeds of calamity. After the 9/11 attacks, the U.S. government have taken all kinds of measures, including implementation of "Greater Middle East Initiative" by means of war. However, the people in Middle East believe that the United States attempts to maintain its strategic interests and influence in the region. The anti-U.S. protests and incidence of violence show that the U.S. military intervention policy will bring huge negative effects. The U.S.-led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have brought great pains to the people of the two countries. Currently, the United States and some other countries are trying to enforce regime change in Syria, providing support to Syrian oppositions and appealing to more direct military intervention. However, what consequences will the external military intervention bring? The tragedy in Benghazi is thought-provoking. The death of the U.S. diplomat deserves strongest condemnation, but it is equally and even more important for the United States to self-examine the root cause of the tragedy.

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