War without peace
There are few more defining moments for a government than the decision to wage war. Prime Minister, John Key has said we are within weeks of deciding what action we will take against Islamic State (also known as ISIS) in Iraq. The options range from providing humanitarian aid to special forces (SAS) being deployed. This may sound like an easy decision. The public beheading of Westerners has been broadcast widely and there is a growing humanitarian crisis as more civilians join the millions of displaced people from the Syrian conflict. There is a growing sense that
‘something must be done.’
But defining ‘something’ is not straightforward. Western intervention in Iraq over the past twenty five years has resulted in hundreds of thousands of casualties, destroyed infrastructure and left a legacy of hatred and sectarian division. If military action is about ‘achieving intended consequences’, the record of recent US coalitions has been abysmal. The Middle East is now more dangerous and unstable than ever, and the provision of weapons and training for one group of allies today only strengthens a new group of enemies tomorrow. More aerial bombardment of the irregular forces of the Islamic State in either Iraq or Syria is unlikely to be effective, and even less likely to create the conditions for building peace.Further, joining a US-led coalition, without a United Nations mandate, will make it clear that New Zealand is deepening our alliance with the US, a departure from our independent foreign policy and the decision not to join the US coalition in Iraq in 2003. This has broader implications for our foreign relations and potentially exposes New Zealanders to greater risk as they travel abroad. There are many places in the world where intervention is needed, where there are more civilian casualties and a greater chance of success. It is hard to escape the view that the US has prioritised this war because of oil reserves. In a world that is rapidly making a transition to renewable energy, with more fossil fuel reserves than can ever be used, this rationale looks increasingly misguided. The Green Party argues that any intervention should have an objective analysis to show it is politically wise and it is in accordance with international law. These conditions have not been met. Further, it should be properly mandated. Before the election, the Prime Minister dismissed suggestions of New Zealand involvement, but now appears to be in favour. He has suggested that there may be Parliamentary debate prior to a government decision. But a wider democratic process is needed, with objective analysis of the options, and without scare-mongering over terrorism or fanning the flames of prejudice against Muslim communities. At the least, there should be a Parliamentary vote on whether to commit New Zealand to this war, rather than a decision by the government.
Barry Coates was a Green Party candidate for Mt Roskill and narrowly missed out on becoming an MP. He was formerly the Executive Director of Oxfam New Zealand and has experience of international negotiations on trade, climate change and sustainable development.
There are few more defining moments for a government than the decision to wage war. Prime Minister, John Key has said we are within weeks of deciding what action we will take against Islamic State (also known as ISIS) in Iraq. The options range from providing humanitarian aid to special forces...
There are few more defining moments for a government than the decision to wage war. Prime Minister, John Key has said we are within weeks of deciding what action we will take against Islamic State (also known as ISIS) in Iraq. The options range from providing humanitarian aid to special forces (SAS) being deployed. This may sound like an easy decision. The public beheading of Westerners has been broadcast widely and there is a growing humanitarian crisis as more civilians join the millions of displaced people from the Syrian conflict. There is a growing sense that
‘something must be done.’
But defining ‘something’ is not straightforward. Western intervention in Iraq over the past twenty five years has resulted in hundreds of thousands of casualties, destroyed infrastructure and left a legacy of hatred and sectarian division. If military action is about ‘achieving intended consequences’, the record of recent US coalitions has been abysmal. The Middle East is now more dangerous and unstable than ever, and the provision of weapons and training for one group of allies today only strengthens a new group of enemies tomorrow. More aerial bombardment of the irregular forces of the Islamic State in either Iraq or Syria is unlikely to be effective, and even less likely to create the conditions for building peace.Further, joining a US-led coalition, without a United Nations mandate, will make it clear that New Zealand is deepening our alliance with the US, a departure from our independent foreign policy and the decision not to join the US coalition in Iraq in 2003. This has broader implications for our foreign relations and potentially exposes New Zealanders to greater risk as they travel abroad. There are many places in the world where intervention is needed, where there are more civilian casualties and a greater chance of success. It is hard to escape the view that the US has prioritised this war because of oil reserves. In a world that is rapidly making a transition to renewable energy, with more fossil fuel reserves than can ever be used, this rationale looks increasingly misguided. The Green Party argues that any intervention should have an objective analysis to show it is politically wise and it is in accordance with international law. These conditions have not been met. Further, it should be properly mandated. Before the election, the Prime Minister dismissed suggestions of New Zealand involvement, but now appears to be in favour. He has suggested that there may be Parliamentary debate prior to a government decision. But a wider democratic process is needed, with objective analysis of the options, and without scare-mongering over terrorism or fanning the flames of prejudice against Muslim communities. At the least, there should be a Parliamentary vote on whether to commit New Zealand to this war, rather than a decision by the government.
Barry Coates was a Green Party candidate for Mt Roskill and narrowly missed out on becoming an MP. He was formerly the Executive Director of Oxfam New Zealand and has experience of international negotiations on trade, climate change and sustainable development.
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