Iraq Press Roundup

More than five years after the U.S.-led invasion, Iraqis are still paying the price for their "freedom." This puts the United States in a position where it is unwelcome in other countries and its claims of defending human rights and democracy are resisted.

The international order was redefined the day the United States entered Baghdad, leaving Washington in a position of weakness, the Sunni al-Mashriq newspaper said Wednesday.

Iraqis question the gains from five years of the occupation

If given another chance to wage war in Iraq, Washington again would use the opportunity to intimidate the world with obscene and merciless domination, despite the need to employ a financial bailout to fund such a measure.

In a further sign of the decline of Washington, as soon as U.S. President George Bush leaves office in January, scandals will surface showing his closest advisers committed some of the most repulsive crimes on earth, the newspaper said.

The Bush administration still holds to the claim that tyrannical regimes like Iraq under Saddam Hussein still pose a threat to U.S. national security, whereas, in actuality, the hegemonic behavior of the world powers is what is responsible for the destruction of human civilization.

A closer look at Iraq reveals that, after five years of U.S. occupation, the country is slowly moving backward. The greatest achievements the U.S. occupation brought to Iraq were death, displacement, hatred and unrest, leaving the world community frightened of what the future holds.

The financial bailout in the United States stoked fear in the world community. While some countries expressed satisfaction over the collapse of the U.S. economy under President George Bush, some were wary over things to come.

The independent al-Mada newspaper said Wednesday the financial bailout is a sign of the failed strategy of a free-market economy.

The financial storm and our national case

Several analysts had predicted the necessity of the financial rescue package, as Washington, starting in 2006, began asking the Iraqi government to cover its military expenses in Iraq.

Washington began negotiating with Iraq's neighbors in an effort to cut the cost of the war by discouraging their intervention in the military campaign. U.S. officials also looked at oil-sharing contracts with Baghdad as another way to curb expenses. Meanwhile, Washington has threatened Iraqi funds in U.S. central banks, all while pushing for a long-term security arrangement.

Back at home, Washington looks to compensate for its losses abroad by raising taxes on low-income Americans. This strategy will not only anger the American people, but will have a ripple effect as the costs of goods in Third World countries soar.

As Washington began looking for economic solutions through the exploitation of foreign oil and gold reserves, the people took to the streets in mass protest worldwide, expanding the level of frustration beyond U.S. borders.

Addustour newspaper commented Wednesday on the "collapse" of the U.S. empire and said people around the world are hoping for an end to U.S. global domination.

The end of the American Empire

The United States has meddled in the affairs of many countries, threatening their sovereignty and enslaving their people with its policies.

Though the United States will remain the pre-eminent world power for the near future, the financial bailout package and looming economic collapse are signs the end to the glory of the empire is near.

The financial crisis had the effect of emphasizing the role of balance as U.S. reliance on anarchy in the economic market began to disintegrate.

Meanwhile, the U.S.-led efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan only contributed to the financial crisis, as the wars not only affected Iraqis and Afghans, but also diminished the quality of life for many Americans.

The crisis in the U.S. financial markets encouraged other world powers to take the initiative to make decisions independent of Washington in order to provide for a secure and balanced life for their people, a sign the U.S. empire is in decline.