Post-war Games

What next after the war in Iraq? From the look of things, another battle is coming up: For the control of post-war Iraq. And this battle may be even more one-sided than the last one, with the US forging ahead on all fronts, leaving the United Nations, and most of Europe, including Tony Blair''s Britain, watching from the sidelines.
The American stand is unambiguous: Having conceived, scripted and directed the war practically on its own, the US will not grant anyone else, least of all those who opposed the war, the right to decide the contours of Iraq''s future — whether in respect of government formation or in allotting contracts for reconstruction.
As much has been made clear by Condoleezza Rice''s recent statement that the leading role in post-Saddam Iraq will be played by the US and not the UN. Indeed, even the precise shape of the new government appears to have been worked out, judging by Ms Rice''s assertion that Iraq would be run by an office headed by a retired US gene-ral, who, in turn, would be answerable to the Pentagon. There have been other signals, including most importantly, a supplementary amendment passed by the US Congress excluding France, Germany, Russia and Syria from participating in US-funded reconstruction bids.
Earlier, Colin Powell had hinted at a severely curtailed role for the UN by holding that a single appointee would act as the "UN''s eyes and ears" in a US-run interim administration. It goes without saying that none of this can be to the liking of the rest of the world. Russia has already reacted by calling the move "absolutely impermissible from the point of view of common sense and international law."
As for Tony Blair, who overrode both popular opinion at home and strong opposition from his own party to fight on the side of America, it must embarrass him no end that after all he has done, he finds himself left out of the post-war planning. And the embarrassment will be all the more considering he, of his own accord, had promised the full involvement of the UN in the humanitarian and reconstruction aspects in Iraq. Mr Blair had also projected an "Iraq for Iraqis" vision.
Clearly, having used Mr Blair''s services to strengthen its case for war, the US has no further need for him. What does this presage for the future? First, anyone who opposes the US can face what amounts to economic sanctions. Second, even a trusted ally must eventually be prepared to be cast out into the cold.