lecture 9

Clash of Civilisations, McJihad and Militant Islam : 

Clash of Civilisations, McJihad and Militant Islam Civilizing as Imperial Process Non-state enemy Imperialist response

1990s: 

1990s End of cold war Iraq enters Kuwait (once part of Iraq) First Gulf war Basing of US troops on Saudi territory Osama Bin Laden Originally US ally against Soviets in Afghanistan, CIA armed and trained Osama's eldest brother Salem was a business partner of George W. Bush until his death. The Bush and bin Laden families were prominent players in the Carlyle Group until 9/11. Main demands Change in Saudi regime US troops out of Saudi

Attacks on WTC/ Pentagon: 

Attacks on WTC/ Pentagon Continuation of US foreign policy Naming of enemy Al Qaida – The Base Not what Osama Bin Laden calls his organisation !!!! Makhtab al-Khidamat The school of good services Lots of other names and organisations in different countries Coined by the US administration from a series of documents from MAK

Why do this?: 

Why do this? How fight against a network with no headquarters, no address, no state? The Bin Laden network not controlled centrally by him! Ideological inspiration

Negri: 

Negri Al Qaida are an example of the formation of Empire because as an organisation they are not a state and they were able to attack the USA, showing that no place has protection in Empire. American reaction is configuring itself as a regressive backlash contrary to the imperial tendency. It is an imperialist backlash within and against Empire that is linked to old structures of power, old methods of command, and a monocratic and substantialist conception of sovereignty The Imperialist backlash on Empire Antonio Negri interviewed by Ida Dominijanni September 18, 2003

War on Iraq: 

War on Iraq Our armies do not come into your cities and lands as conquerors or enemies, but as liberators. ... It is [not] the wish of [our] government to impose upon you alien institutions. ... [It is our wish] that you should prosper even as in the past, when your lands were fertile, when your ancestors gave to the world literature, science, and art, and when Baghdad city was one of the wonders of the world. ... It is [our] hope that the aspirations of your philosophers and writers shall be realized and that once again the people of Baghdad shall flourish, enjoying their wealth and substance under institutions which are in consonance with their sacred laws and their racial ideals. -- General F. S. Maude to the people of Mesopotamia, March 19, 1917

War on Iraq: 

War on Iraq The government of Iraq, and the future of your country, will soon belong to you. ... We will end a brutal regime ... so that Iraqis can live in security. We will respect your great religious traditions, whose principles of equality and compassion are essential to Iraq's future. We will help you build a peaceful and representative government that protects the rights of all citizens. And then our military forces will leave. Iraq will go forward as a unified, independent, and sovereign nation that has regained a respected place in the world. You are a good and gifted people -- the heirs of a great civilization that contributes to all humanity. -- President George W. Bush to the people of Iraq, April 4, 2003

Video: 

Video Note the historical action of the British How do they resonate with the contemporary?

Reluctant Imperialist: 

Reluctant Imperialist Britain upfront about civilising role America historically uncomfortable Empire Lite No longer case B. Bowden, Reinventing Imperialism in the Wake of September 11 http://www.alternativesjournal.net/page2.htm

US Imperialism: 

US Imperialism A dose of US imperialism may be the best response to terrorism'. For as far as he is concerned 'the September 11 attack was a result of insufficient [American] involvement and ambition. The solution is to be more expansive in the US's goals and more assertive in their implementation'. Apparently, 'Afghanistan and other troubled lands today cry out for the sort of enlightened foreign administration once provided by self-confident Englishmen in jodhpurs and pith helmets.' Max Boot, editor of Wall Street Journal, in Max Boot, 'Colonise wayward nations', The Australian, October 15 2001, p. 13.

Other Reasons for War: 

Other Reasons for War Linking Sadaam with Al Quaida Ideologically opposed No link exists (according to US/ British intelligence) Most Americans believe a link does exist Weapons of Mass destruction 1998 leader of Weapons inspectors declared Iraq no longer had any Removed from job After war Hans Blix – said Iraq did not have any North Korea said we have them, but no war

The Reasons for War: 

The Reasons for War Freedom for Iraqi people Many other worse regimes Kill 10 000 (no accurate stats, not collected) people to liberate them? Oil? Capitalist Imperialism: links the political to the economic

David Harvey: The New Imperialism: 

David Harvey: The New Imperialism Bush and Cheney Oil interests Under Sadaam China, French and Russian favoured Post War Iraq US companies But if lifted sanctions US companies could enter

David Harvey: The New Imperialism: 

David Harvey: The New Imperialism Not just about Iraq, control of Middle East Control Oil sources Control of global economy US own economy losing in terms of manufacturing and new information age technologies

War: 

War Reasserts the industrial-military complex Reboosts the economy through production of war Bomb a place and rebuild it! Preferably using their oil revenues 9 bn in previous assetts now in New York Banks

Cultural Aspect: 

Cultural Aspect Clash of civilisations Huntington Post cold war Islam vs the West More about internal problems of America Benjamin Barber: Jihad vs McWorld Clash between these two Vijay Prasad McJihad

Cultural Aspects: 

Cultural Aspects Tariq Ali – Clash of Fundamentalisms Problem from imperialist perspective is that equates the two US military might is greater than UK, France, USSR and China combined

Negri and Lenin: 

Negri and Lenin Obviously US actions not simply imperialist nor Empire Analytically which is most illuminating?