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6 Whitehead J. Dipl. & Int'l Rel. 97 (2005)
Operation Exporting Freedom: The Quest for Democratization via United States Military Operations

handle is hein.journals/whith6 and id is 97 raw text is: Operation Exporting Freedom: The Quest for Democratization via United States Military Operations by John A. Tures The wave oftheffuture is not the conquest ofthe world by a single dogmatic creed, but the liberation of the diverse energies offree nations and free men. -President John E Kennedy, University of California at Berkeley Address, March 23, 1962 INTRODUCTION' Since September 11, 2001, the United States has launched military operations against Afghanistan and Iraq. The names of these operations, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, imply that at least part of the mission will be devoted to promoting democracy in these countries. Proponents of exporting freedom extol the virtues of such policies, pointing to success stories in Germany and Japan after World War II, as well as more recent cases, such as Panama after 1989. Critics assail America's track record of using military force to promote democratization, citing failures in Somalia and Haiti, as well as incomplete efforts such as Bosnia. The question before us is whether Afghanistan and Iraq will look more like the former group, or begin to resemble the latter group. The answer is critical for the future of American foreign policy. Other Axis of Evil states are awaiting confrontation with the United States. People in Central Asia, the Middle East, East Asia, and Africa could find themselves along the battle lines in the War on Terrorism. Furthermore, Americans, who are being asked to sacrifice the things they hold dear, are anxious about the outcome. If the United States can effectively promote democratization, others might support the spread of freedom. Democratic revolutions may topple autocratic leaders, or authoritarian regimes may be pressured to reform. Such support for freedom could deny the terrorists bases of operation, as well as motives for attacking Americans. However, the consequences of failure would be severe. Cynicism resulting from unsuccessful democratization efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq would dampen support for freedom elsewhere. America's autocratic enemies and allies would point to such shortcomings Dr. John A. Tures is assistant professor of political science at LaGrange College, LaGrange, Ga., USA. 97 The Whitehead Journal of Diplomacy and International Relations

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