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Doctoring evidence

WASHINGTON’S political landscape seems to be changing with increasing pace following the November 7 Congressional elections. There is already enough pressure mounting on the Bush administration, but the Pentagon inspector-general’s report — confirming that much of the intelligence used to drag the American nation to war was doctored — adds a much more serious twist to the situation.

Though it has taken its sweet time coming, the report confirms what has been feared all along. That the case of Iraq’s WMDs, its links with Al Qaeda, its secret service coordinating with the 9/11 hijackers, etc, were all part of a carefully constructed fable meant to hoodwink public opinion in favour of a war. And that war has wasted hundreds of thousands of lives and inflicted irredeemable damage on millions.

Now, the question presents itself as to the motives behind such a move. Why would the world’s most powerful men throw dust into people’s eyes across the spectrum to legitimise an unfair invasion, destabilise a whole country and bring misfortune to so many?

These are some of the important questions that will no doubt be widely debated around the world, especially in Washington, in the coming weeks and months. It seems that another change in the White House rhetoric might be in the offing, like the circumstances-driven shift from ‘we’re winning the war’ to ‘things aren’t going all that well’.

On another point of concern, these findings more or less coincide with a similar adventure on the part of Washington. The target this time is Iraq’s neighbour Iran, for pursuing a nuclear programme that is not in violation of NPT provisions, at least not yet. Also, America’s top brass is claiming irrefutable evidence of Iran’s active participation in the chaos in Iraq. Needless to point out, only claims and no evidence have been put forth so far.

It is owing to the administration’s refusal to entertain any opinion save its own and rejection to calls urging restraint that the superpower has suffered such enormous loss of reputation. With under two years in office remaining, the Bush administration should turn to a more pragmatic path. Surely the outcome cannot be as bad as the uncompromising posture has brought about.