US needs to focus on friends, not enemies

A defeat like that of the US in Afghanistan can be a sobering moment as well as an opportunity for a reassessment and a policy reset. Such a reset should involve a change in worldview: Instead of a policy focused on seeing the world as a series of threats, the US should focus on its friends and allies; on people who have aspirations that are compatible with America’s vision of itself and of the world, empowering those who share similar values. The first is a negative view and has a destructive effect, while the latter is positive and forward-looking.

In his first address to the nation after the collapse of the government and army in Afghanistan, President Joe Biden explained: “As president, I am adamant that we focus on the threats that we face today in 2021 — not yesterday’s threats.” It will soon be 20 years since the attacks on the twin towers in New York on Sept. 11, 2001. It is very possible that the trauma caused by the 9/11 attacks has led to a mindset that sees the world as a series of threats and as being full of enemies. 

This attitude or vision of the world explains a lot and inevitably leads to outcomes like Afghanistan, where America is seen as compromising with its enemies and betraying its friends. A reset, focused on allies with shared objectives, would achieve much better results. This is relevant to the US’ next steps in Iraq.

The formula is simple: When the global superpower challenges or attacks a local tyrant or terrorist group, it elevates them as a worthy opponent nearly equivalent in status. It gives them an excuse to liquidate their enemies, accusing them of treason for collaborating with the US, which is attacking them.

It is like Mike Tyson challenging me to a world heavyweight boxing championship bout. I would certainly be the overall winner because I would automatically become world No. 2, ahead of thousands of people who are far better than me at boxing. For Tyson to beat me would be no great achievement, but for me to be beaten in a contest where I am given equivalence with “Iron Mike” as a worthy opponent in a championship match would be a huge boost. It should be every terrorist organization’s dream to be designated as an enemy of the US, as this allows it to prevail over all its local rivals, some of whom are friends of Washington. In fact, terrorist groups and tyrants try to make a point of provoking the US into elevating them to the status of enemy No. 1.

The fundamental problem is, therefore, with the view of the world as a series of enemies and threats. If the US chooses to fight an enemy, it empowers it to the detriment of any of its own allies that are also opposed to that enemy. If the US does not want to fight and chooses to compromise and negotiate with the enemy, then it also does so at the expense of its own friends that are opposed to that enemy. It is the focus on the enemy that is the problem.

In Iraq, for example, the US has invested a lot over the past 18 years, perhaps even more than in Afghanistan. The stakes are high and the US should be identifying elements of change and working with them. These are the forces that want a better future in a prosperous country, free of Iranian-sponsored militias and of Daesh.

When the US collaborated with local forces in 2007-2008, in what was known as the “surge,” it empowered Awakening movement forces in the north and this led to the defeat and expulsion of Al-Qaeda in Iraq. Attacks on both US troops and on Iraqi civilians were greatly reduced and the country enjoyed a semblance of stability after the most violent of years. This is what happens when the US focuses on friends instead of enemies.

When the US focused on its enemies, again in Iraq, it was engaging Iran and fighting Daesh, and the results were disastrous for its friends and allies. Iranian militias allied with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps felt empowered and prevailed in the mostly Shiite south of the country. They began targeting Sunni politicians in the north and ethnically cleansing whole areas in both Baghdad and in Sunni provinces. This was instrumental in the rise of Daesh in the Sunni north, and the abandoned forces of the Awakening were targeted for having collaborated with the US. 

Fighting Daesh also led to the destruction of most of the cities in the north of the country, including Fallujah, Ramadi and Mosul. The mindset of fighting enemies rather than engaging friends has only resulted in destruction. The homes and cities of those who worked with the US to fight Al-Qaeda were destroyed and they were left feeling powerless and targeted by both Daesh and the IRGC.

On the Shiite front, since 2019 there have been continuous protests in the south of Iraq against the power of the IRGC militias and the corrupt politicians affiliated with them. This mostly peaceful movement, largely under the label of “Tishreen” (October), consists mainly of youth and civil society activists, who use peaceful means such as marches, sit-ins and civil disobedience to make their point. However, they are being violently suppressed by the militias and some elements of the government. 

There have been at least 36 assassinations of people affiliated with these protests and accused of collaboration with the US. The future of Shiites in Iraq will depend on whether these militias achieve control of the higher religious institutions in the city of Najaf, which would give them influence even beyond the borders of Iraq. While all this is happening, the US is focused on negotiations with Iran, which is now even more under the control of the IRGC.

Twenty years after 9/11, a policy reset would help those who want to see Iraq free of Daesh and Iranian-sponsored militias.

Nadim Shehadi

After the Afghanistan tragedy, the US should learn the lessons for its exit from Iraq. This can be done simply by working with the forces that share its goals and which want to invest in their own future rather than concentrate on their enemies.

Washington’s goals should be in tune with those of the people aspiring for an Iraq free of both Daesh and the IRGC. There are similar protests to those in Iraq all over the region, such as in Lebanon and even Iran itself. After 20 years of fighting enemies with few results, it is time for a policy reset and change of approach by the US to focus on helping its friends, not reluctantly but with conviction and because it is the right way forward.

• Nadim Shehadi is executive director of the LAU Headquarters and Academic Center in New York and an associate fellow of Chatham House in London. Twitter: @Confusezeus