US public diplomacy has been very important since September 11, 2001.  The US government tries to educate foreign media on US activities and funds exchanges to build cultural and educational ties.  As a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar, my mission of building global understanding is linked with official US public diplomacy.

Yet this mission has become very difficult in recent times.  Through my speaking engagements with local Rotary clubs and my interaction with students and professors here in England, I am supposed to help teach more about the United States and my home in South Carolina.  My recent discussions have not been hindered because of experiences of anti-American sentiment, but because of my own doubts about the US actions and policies.  Never before have I questioned US international affairs is such a strong manner.  I constantly feel so much internal tension—questioning why the war with Iraq is essential to world peace and American stability.

A few weeks ago, the impending conflict hit home when a close friend was deployed to Kuwait.  The realities of a personal connection with the US military stationed in the Middle East have been wearing on my mind every since.  My understanding of international relations did not suddenly change because of my geographic location.  However, looking at the United States from abroad helps to add depth to the perspectives of others—in my case, mainly Europeans.

While the Bush administration maintains that the legitimacy of the United Nations rests with its ability to approve military action, many Europeans feel that the legitimacy of the UN is realized through steadfast support of the UN inspections regime—allowing for the most time and energy to disarm the Iraqis.  As EU External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten has said, the inspections regime needs validity and support not just for its important role in dealing with Iraq, but because the future holds more unfortunate situations when inspectors are likely to be needed—whether in North Korea, or elsewhere.  I do not doubt the fact that US and UK troops stationed in the Middle East help to pressure Iraq to work with the inspectors, but war seems inevitable no matter what is reported by Dr. Hans Blix on March 7.

The US and the UK have failed to convince many of their citizens about the connections between Iraq and the Al Qaeda terrorist network.  Revelations that the British were using the work of a graduate student in Monterrey, CA did not help with these suspicions.  Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld’s “Old Europe” remark also revealed misunderstandings in the Pentagon about Europe and the European Union (EU).  The “New Europe” EU member-states prefer multilateral actions, and they are not weak because of it.

The Bush Administration’s worries about US weakness seem illogical.  What is wrong with containment and deterrence?  When did the many 20^th century American presidents that followed these policies suddenly become an embarrassment?  Containment of Saddam does not seem logical because some academics and columnists agree, but because of all the post-Saddam worries of managing the Middle East and the lack of US preparation to effectively handle these issues.

Discussions about re-building Iraq always end up with questions by my fellow students about other US projects and our past record of progress.  I am reminded that we have not finished work in Afghanistan.  US media hardly discuss the post-war re-building effort anymore.  The Afghan president recently visited Washington to remind Congress and the White House of his country’s needs.  Hopefully, US attention will not forgot about Afghanistan and the humanitarian and institutional efforts that will require many US personnel and even more US dollars for years to come in a post-war Iraq.

Around the world US Rotary scholars talk about the freedom we experience as Americans.  Yet, I have been somewhat wary of writing these thoughts because of criticism that could result in me being labeled “un-American.”  Questioning US policies is certainly part of the process of learning more about your country, and this is not the first time I have dared to disagree with the US government.  But, it is the lowest trust I have had in US foreign policy.

The important thing I have to remember is that building international understanding on the grassroots level does not mean that I have to support every action of the United States.  After all, our democracy can certainly handle it.

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Lucas McMillan is a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar studying international relations at the University of Warwick in Coventry, England. He represents the Rotary Club of Mullins and Rotary District 7770 of South Carolina.

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