Originally published in Tikkun Daily
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who voted in 2002 for the U.S. to invade Iraq on specious WMD claims, and who reiterated in 2004 that he would do so again, even if he knew there were not weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, has really laid into Russia on the Obama administration's behalf.
Just listen to this tongue lashing:
"You just don't in the 21st century behave in 19th century fashion by invading another country on completely trumped up pre-text."
[...]
"It's an incredible act of aggression. It is really a stunning, willful choice by President (Vladimir) Putin to invade another country. Russia is in violation of the sovereignty of Ukraine. Russia is in violation of its international obligations."
Now, very few disagree with Kerry, or the United States' position, on what is currently happening as Russia prepares to invade Ukraine. I certainly am aghast at what's occurring.
But seriously? You just don't in the 21st century behave in 19th century fashion by invading another country on completely trumped up pre-text.
Apparently, you do. The United States does. Which makes this international posturing from a position of moral superiority so ... uninspiring at best, and laughable at worst.
The U.S. has for too long had a foreign policy stance that amounts to little more than this: Do as I say, not as I do.
I guess that's 21st-century global leadership, American style.
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David Harris-Gershon is author of the memoir What Do You Buy the Children of the Terrorist Who Tried to Kill Your Wife?, just out from Oneworld Publications.
