Bush's Middle East foreign policy creates moral tragedies

The archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, recently called the United States "a hegemonic power that has lost the high moral ground." Our politicians have ruined not only our economy but also our image and integrity. President George W. Bush didn't practice what he preached of a "humble foreign policy" but applied instead the attitude of "might is right."

Our country, once a beacon of hope and freedom for the world, has squandered our prosperity to create conflicts and instigate civil wars among other nations by funding one group against another. This is a moral tragedy.

The successful presidential election in Lebanon indicates the failure of the Bush foreign policy. The people of the region are searching for reconciliation. The United States should get on the right side of the struggle and be part of the triumph of peace.

The president said he gave up golfing "in solidarity" with the families of soldiers in Iraq. I hope the president resumes his golfing soon. A more constructive display of solidarity would be to stop these wars, fix the mess in Iraq and Afghanistan and don't start yet another war in the Persian Gulf.

There is no evidence that Iran is building nuclear weapons. United Nations atomic watchdog chief, Mohamed El-Baradei, accused the Bush administration of adding "fuel to the fire" with bellicose rhetoric.

The national intelligence estimate in November 2007 confirmed that Iran's nuclear program has no military aspect -- it is not pursuing nuclear weapons. Under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, Iran, just like any other country, has the right to produce peaceful nuclear technology.

To negotiate with North Korea and Israel, which already have nuclear weapons, while continuing this psychological war against Iran is another symptom of political illness.

On Jan. 20, when George W. Bush has to vacate the White House, he also will leave behind his Israeli-Palestinian legacy. The president's speech to the Israeli parliament last month disingenuously called Israel "a free and modern society based on love of liberty, a passion for justice, and a respect for human dignity."

Impressed with his unusual support for Israel, some lawmakers suggested that Bush is a better friend to Israel than Israel's prime minister. Ehud Olmert should "learn from the president of the United States what Zionism is," Knesset member Zvi Hendel remarked.

Honestly, the best friends of Israel are those who say it like it is. Former President Jimmy Carter called the Israeli policy toward Gaza "one of the greatest human rights crimes on earth."

Political scientist Ilan Pappe said it's possible for the Palestinians and Jews to live together, but Israel needs to acknowledge the crimes it committed against the Palestinian people and accept the Palestinian refugees' right of return, as required by international law.

Our nation deserves truthful and trustworthy leaders who have enough courage and commitment to turn the anti-American resentment around the world into respect and love. This country needs leaders who can practice what they preach and what America needs -- "liberty and justice for all."

Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi heads the Islamic House of Wisdom in Dearborn Heights
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