In a move that serves only to highlight the declining relevance and credibility of the United States, Washington has designated the 125,000 strong Iranian National Guard as a terrorist organization. Of course, what this means is that the United States will reserve the right to strike at the National Guard Units without having to seek consensus from the UNSC to launching a war with Iran. Any attempt to defend Iran by the National Guard will be dismissed as an act of terrorism.
Not only is this beyond Orwellian, but it represents a true act of desperation from a state whose credibility and influence throughout the world could hardly be lower. This week saw a visit to Afghansitan by Iran’s president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to meet with Hamid Karzai (something that would have been unthinkable a year ago). Last week, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Malaki visited Tehran and announced plans to build an oil pipeline between the two countries. Both visits are a clear indication that US influence is on the wane while Tehran’s is increasing. George Bush could do little else but stand by the sidelines and issue futile warnings to both leaders to refrain from praising Iran.
To add insult to injury, China uncharacteristically humiliated the US on the world stage after demands from the US Congress to revalue its currency
The Chinese government has begun a concerted campaign of economic threats against the United States, hinting that it may liquidate its vast holding of US treasuries if Washington imposes trade sanctions to force a yuan revaluation.
It’s prophetic that these events should coincide with a report released by the US comptroller general David Walker, warning that the United States in on a collision course to ruin.
He warned of “striking similarities” between the current crises facing America and the factors toppled Rome, including “declining moral values and political civility at home, an over-confident and over-extended military in foreign lands and fiscal irresponsibility by the central government.”
It seems that the leaders in Washington are doing their best to hasten this outcome.