Think Progress

Rosen: U.S. occupation in Middle East is ‘imperialist.’

In Senate hearing on Wednesday about the future of Iraq, Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE) asked Nir Rosen of the NYU Center on Law and Security what advice he would have for the U.S. going forward in Iraq, given Rosen’s extensive first-hand experience in the country. Rosen declined to respond, saying he felt “uncomfortable” giving advice to an “imperialist power”:

BIDEN: Based on what you’ve said, there’s really no hope — we really should get the hell out of there right now. I mean, there’s nothing to do. Nothing.

ROSEN: As a journalist, I’m uncomfortable advising an imperialist power about how to be a more efficient imperialist power. And I don’t think that we’re there for the interest of the Iraqi people. I don’t think that’s ever been a motivation. [...]

BIDEN: [If we withdraw], the good news is we wouldn’t be imperialists in Iraq, from your perspective.

ROSEN: Only elsewhere in the region. (laughter). … There’s no positive scenario in Iraq these days. Not every situation has a solution.

Watch it:

[flv http://video.thinkprogress.org/2008/04/nirrosen33.320.240.flv]




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22 Responses to “Rosen: U.S. occupation in Middle East is ‘imperialist.’”

  1. Badmoodman Says:

    Rosen: There’s no positive scenario in Iraq these days. Not every situation has a solution.

    - - And that's the point the GOP seizes upon. Keeping troops there, in their view, is the lesser of many evils. It's not an altogether bankrupt argument.


  2. singe_101 Says:

    He's not just Nir, he's all the way to the truth.

    If the government is strong, why won't we honor their vote and leave?

    Who's sovereign?


  3. Max-1 Says:

    .

    Rosen said it like it needed to be said...

    "As a journalist, I’m uncomfortable advising an imperialist power about how to be a more efficient imperialist power."

    ... to the imperialist powers themselves.

    .


  4. Buckie Boy Says:

    The is no solution to the Iraq problem, you're damned if you do, damned if you don't. Sorta the pick your poison, slow death, or quick death, the outcome is still death.

    But no matter who is in the WH we are going to be there for some time yet, wasting money on a sh!t hole, when our country could sure use those funds.

    IMPEACH BUSH/CHENEY
    Hague Trials '09


  5. Innocent Bystander Says:

    What? The Iraqi's don't want us there? Since when does their opinion count? Anyways, Dick Cheney assured us that we'd be greeted as liberators. Just ask the 600,000+ Iraqi's who have been liberated permanently.


  6. Uncle Ho Says:

    Not just imperialist, but fascist as well.


  7. Peter C Says:

    I feel a right-wing smear about Mr. Rosen coming on ...


  8. Mugsy Says:

    Typo: "Only elsewhere in the region. (laughter)


  9. L. Hussein Annie Says:

    Oh wow. All the little birdies are coming home to roost...

    We Americans are going to pay in blood for the actions of the Bush administration for YEARS to come.


  10. oldtree Says:

    Poor Joe, can't even understand the truth himself? Can't believe Mr. Rosen?
    Experts don't matter in this country unless they are on TV selling something, period.


  11. NOLIESPLEASE Says:

    It's about time we call a spade "a spade". When will we force our government to remove over 900 military basis? We spend 650billion on the military, that's more then ever other country on this earth combined. Then you wonder why?

    Check out http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com learn the real truth. It's time for a change. Remember the Roman Empire, Greek Empire, Ottomon Empire, Russian Empire, They all failed. Why do we keep electing people who stay on this path of distruction. Enough!!!


  12. StratRat Says:

    Is we learning yet?


  13. Juan C. Says:

    Nahh, Rome, Spain, Britain and France were imperialists.

    Now it is leader of the free world...


  14. singe_101 Says:

    Rome won't burn this time but our money might go up in smoke.


  15. Chris L Says:

    Considering that Joseph Biden is one of very few people that has seen the latest classified NIE on Iraq, I would think he has some idea on what is going on there.


  16. Max-1 Says:

    .

    When Principles guided Politics the world birthed America...
    When politics dictated principles the world lost Rome...

    Has America become the next Rome?

    .


  17. RUCerious Says:

    When the 1,000 or so Iraqi troops that deserted in the Basra explosion stand up, we'll stand up... and take their lives, property, families, etc...


  18. galmud Says:

    Nir speaks the truth. McCain should go to these hearings he might learn something, instead of going around scaring people with "If we leave al Qaeda and Iran takes over!"


  19. Max-1 Says:

    #19 galmud Says:
    April 4th, 2008 at 5:43 pm

    Why would Johnny McTORTURE need to go to these hearings when he has Sissy Graham and Holy Joe McLIARman to whisper the details he needs to know, in his ears?

    .


  20. representativepress Says:

    See video: See Body of War, Hear Body of War Help Phil Donahue promote this important movie, directed by Phil Donahue and Ellen Spiro, send this video link to others to make people aware of Tomas Young's story.
    http://representativepress.googlepages.com/bodyofwar


  21. turnerj41 Says:

    F-ing A-right,

    Even Biden couldn't come to terms with being called an imperialist, but I got news for the sexy NYU guy, if he is paying taxes in this country he is part of the beast.


  22. CitizenE Says:

    Quagmire anyone? Ah, even the bones of the mighty sabre toothed tiger can today be found in the La Brea Tar Pits of southern California. George Bush will have carved out a grandiose place in the history books when the abrupt fall of the American dream is recounted in generations hence.



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