Iraq: a Lesson from Panama Imperialism and Struggle for Sovereignty Ess

Iraq: a Lesson from Panama Imperialism and Struggle for Sovereignty If History is to be the signifier of lessons learned, then why do wars continue to happen? The United States has never really been considered an Imperialist nation, but as history proves, the US has had a long stake in international geopolitical control over various countries, as well as economic markets that have made these countries dependent on the United States for survival. In light of recent events in Iraq, one should take a step back and look at the US’ history of hostile invasions to â€Å"make the world safe for democracy.† This mantra had devastating on the tiny country of Panama 14 years ago. Why did the US invade Panama? To free Panama from its oppressive dictator, Manuel Noriega. The result was the a death toll of three thousand, and the country’s further dependence on the US for economic survival. Who again was the US trying to save Panama from? In reviewing the story of Panama, one is able to draw uncanny connections to the current sit uation in Iraq. The administration even has many of the same people that decided to invade Panama under Bush senior. Now the same minds have decided to invade Iraq under George W. Bush, under the same pretext of â€Å"freeing the Iraqi people.† Based on history however, what will be the consequences for the Iraqi people and the Iraqi nation? On December 20,1989 President Bush ordered US forces into Panama as he explained, â€Å"to safeguard the lives of Americans, to defend democracy in Panama, to combat drug trafficking, and to protect the integrity of the Panama Canal Treaty.†[1] In December of 1989, 26,000 US soldiers occupied Panama in search of Manuel Noriega to be seized and tried on traffickin... ...s neighborhood, and with West Indians in Margarita, Colon, February 14-19, 1990 [20] CODEHUCA, Testimonies recorded by staff of the Central American Human Rights Committees, San Jose, Costa Rica, taken in Panama Jan. 29, 1990 [21] Ibid. [22] Ibid. [23] Pensamiento Propio, Jan./ Feb., 1990 â€Å"La guerra total de Bush† pp.28 [24] Ibid. [25] Opinion Publica, CELA, Panama, No.24 Feb.1990 Magela Cabera Arias, â€Å"La Reconstruccion en El Chorrillo,† pp. 8-9 [26] El Periodico, â€Å"Bombardean Pacora con substancias quimicas,† Panama Occupied Territory, Feb. 1990 p.8 [27] Ibid. [28] Reuters, Washington D.C., Jan 9, 1990 [29] Ibid. [30] Wheaton, p.20 [31] Ibid. [32] http://www.geographyiq.com/countries/pm/Panama_history_summary.htm. [33] CRS Issue Brief, Panama – US Relations: Continuing Policy Concerns [34] Ibid. Iraq: a Lesson from Panama Imperialism and Struggle for Sovereignty Ess Iraq: a Lesson from Panama Imperialism and Struggle for Sovereignty If History is to be the signifier of lessons learned, then why do wars continue to happen? The United States has never really been considered an Imperialist nation, but as history proves, the US has had a long stake in international geopolitical control over various countries, as well as economic markets that have made these countries dependent on the United States for survival. In light of recent events in Iraq, one should take a step back and look at the US’ history of hostile invasions to â€Å"make the world safe for democracy.† This mantra had devastating on the tiny country of Panama 14 years ago. Why did the US invade Panama? To free Panama from its oppressive dictator, Manuel Noriega. The result was the a death toll of three thousand, and the country’s further dependence on the US for economic survival. Who again was the US trying to save Panama from? In reviewing the story of Panama, one is able to draw uncanny connections to the current sit uation in Iraq. The administration even has many of the same people that decided to invade Panama under Bush senior. Now the same minds have decided to invade Iraq under George W. Bush, under the same pretext of â€Å"freeing the Iraqi people.† Based on history however, what will be the consequences for the Iraqi people and the Iraqi nation? On December 20,1989 President Bush ordered US forces into Panama as he explained, â€Å"to safeguard the lives of Americans, to defend democracy in Panama, to combat drug trafficking, and to protect the integrity of the Panama Canal Treaty.†[1] In December of 1989, 26,000 US soldiers occupied Panama in search of Manuel Noriega to be seized and tried on traffickin... ...s neighborhood, and with West Indians in Margarita, Colon, February 14-19, 1990 [20] CODEHUCA, Testimonies recorded by staff of the Central American Human Rights Committees, San Jose, Costa Rica, taken in Panama Jan. 29, 1990 [21] Ibid. [22] Ibid. [23] Pensamiento Propio, Jan./ Feb., 1990 â€Å"La guerra total de Bush† pp.28 [24] Ibid. [25] Opinion Publica, CELA, Panama, No.24 Feb.1990 Magela Cabera Arias, â€Å"La Reconstruccion en El Chorrillo,† pp. 8-9 [26] El Periodico, â€Å"Bombardean Pacora con substancias quimicas,† Panama Occupied Territory, Feb. 1990 p.8 [27] Ibid. [28] Reuters, Washington D.C., Jan 9, 1990 [29] Ibid. [30] Wheaton, p.20 [31] Ibid. [32] http://www.geographyiq.com/countries/pm/Panama_history_summary.htm. [33] CRS Issue Brief, Panama – US Relations: Continuing Policy Concerns [34] Ibid.