Duane Ruth-Heffelbower retired as Associate Professor of Peacemaking and Conflict Studies in the Center for Peacemaking and Conflict Studies of Fresno Pacific University; faculty in the Leadership Studies MA program and the Criminology and Restorative Justice Studies degree completion program. He is a conflict specialist, attorney, mediator and ordained Mennonite minister.
Monday, May 30, 2005
the United States doesn't invade other countries
I was doing a workshop on conflict for 60 or so teachers at a Jr. College/trade school the other day. We were talking about how one can dispel fear in the other party that prevents them from being cooperative. After all, if I am afraid of you, it will be difficult for me to cooperate with you in any meaningful way. The example of North Korea and its quest for nuclear weapons came up. "So why do you suppose they want nukes?" I asked. The responses tended toward "they want to be big stuff in the world." "Has the United States ever invaded a country that had nuclear weapons?" I asked. Consternation blossomed in the room. Everyone knew the US has never invaded a country with nuclear weapons. "Do you think they might be afraid of us?" I asked. The general response was "No way, the United States never invades anyone. How can they not see that?"
These teachers haven't been paying much attention to all the little invasions that don't spend much time on the front page, not to mention the big ones that do. They seem to have missed Afghanistan and Iraq, not to mention Panama, Grenada and a host of others. Those who haven't kept track might want to pick up the book The Savage Wars of Peace: Small Wars and the Rise of American Power by Max Boot.
