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Brown in America

Zakaria: US Homeland Security harming US interests

By: Santosh :+: Under: Brown in America, Opinion, Politics
On: ⋅ February 27, 2007 ⋅  Email this post ⋅  Print this post ⋅ Post a comment
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In the aftermath of 911, “Homeland Security” became a huge buzzword and presidential elections were won and lost on grounds of candidates allegedly being “weaker” or “stronger” on Homeland Security.

Immigration line: Road to Mortification?
(img: via Newsweek)

Fareed Zakaria in his latest column on Newsweek International points out how certain activities performed by immigration officials under the guise of “Homeland Security” could actually harm US interests and hurt the image of the United States worldwide.
He gives the example of a bunch of young liberal and moderate Arab leaders who visited the US to strengthen US-Arab relationships.

The first group of participants, mostly CEOs of large companies, were pulled out of the regular immigration lines and made to stand for two to five hours while Department of Homeland Security officials grilled them as to why they were coming to America, whether they had any experience using weapons, what they thought of the Iraq war and other such questions. Half a day into their trip, before they had even left the airport, they were angry and humiliated.

As a direct consequence of such experiences, the young Arab leaders, a pro-American group, are now avoiding visiting the country themselves.

The next meeting of the Young Arab Leaders, to be held outside America, is expected to draw a much larger number of participants.

Zakaria also goes on to reminisce the change in the attitude of Americans over time - pre and post 911.

America as a place has often been the great antidote to U.S. foreign policy. When American actions across the world have seemed harsh, misguided or unfair, America itself has always been open, welcoming and tolerant. I remember visiting the United States as a kid from India in the 1970s, at a time when as a country, India was officially anti-American. The reality of the America that I experienced was a powerful refutation of the propaganda and caricatures of its enemies. But today, through inattention, stupidity and bureaucratic cowardice, the caricature is becoming reality.

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