Bush’s Cowboy Mentality on American Policy in Iraqi war following 9/11 terrorist attacks

Oleh :
Salieg Luki Munestri - C0302055 - Fak. Sastra dan Seni Rupa

ABSTRACT 2007. The research studies how Bush’s cowboy mentality affects his foreign policy toward Iraq in the Operation Iraqi Freedom. It is conducted to explain how the characteristic of the president of the United States plays significant role in the running of the administration and all the policies especially in foreign affairs. It reveals the fact that Bush’s cowboy characteristic impacts on his foreign policies in Iraqi War following 9/11 terrorist attacks on American land. The study is conducted as qualitative study and employs four-phase technique in processing the data, involving description, analyzing, interpretation, and evaluation phase. The data is taken from George W. Bush’s speeches spoken during January 2001-February 2006 which were taken from some reliable internet sites and supported by some other data which is taken from books, journals and articles from the Internet web sites, which are relevant to and suited to support the subject matter of the research. In processing the data, usable past theory and such approaches as psychological, historical, and sociopolitical are applied to arrange a worth analysis. Result of the study shows that the U.S. invasion of Iraq in the name of War on Terrorism, to dismantle Saddam’s Weapons of Mass Destruction, and to topple Saddam who was alleged being potential threat to the international community, has reflected Bush’s possession of cowboy mentality which he derived from his Midland community. Bush’s cowboy mentality is obviously presented within the frame of his new aggressive doctrine, the Bush Doctrine. The doctrine, which positions the United States on the very first front line of the international power in the term of maintaining the US-preferred world, becomes the justification of any US’ steps, particularly in the War on Terrorism. The United States under Bush administration has made use the 9/11 incidents as a turning point of its international policy strategy from containment into preemption. Thus, with the changing of the international policy strategy, the United States moves forward into a more active hegemonic country. The United States used the 9/11 virulent attacks as a gateway to justify its invasion in Iraq as a form of America’s responsibility as the world police to exercise its duty in securing the world though the intervention, in fact, outlaws international concord. Moreover, Bush’s new doctrine is proposed as a new American rule which is intended to destroy all states, groups or individuals suspected joining or supporting terrorists, particularly those opposing American interests. As violent behavior is strongly possessed by a cowboy, there was no compromise for America’s decision in waging war in Iraq. Once the United States has decided, none is able to prevent it. No other way or diplomacy is accomplished by the United States to resolve the problems related to terrorism and international treats but by military force. The US’ operation invading Iraq, toppling the leader, changing the regime, and ruining the whole parts of life of the country have shown Bush’s cowboy element.