More Democrat Anti-Americanism

Much of the Democrat party is convinced that the world's problems are the fault of the United States. Check out this column by Amir Taheri

Clinton told his audience in Davos, as well as Charlie Rose, that during his presidency he had “formally apologized on behalf of the United States” for what he termed “American crimes against Iran.”

But what were those “crimes”? Clinton summed them thus: “It’s a sad story that really began in the 1950s when the United States deposed Mr. Mossadegh, who was an elected parliamentary democrat, and brought the Shah back and then he was overturned by the Ayatollah Khomeini, driving us into the arms of one Saddam Hussein. We got rid of the parliamentary democracy {there} back in the ‘50s; at least, that is my belief.”

Duped by a myth spread by the Blame-America-First coalition, Clinton appears to have done little homework on Iran. The truth is that Iran in the 1950s was not a parliamentary democracy but a constitutional monarchy in which the Shah appointed, and dismissed, the prime minister. Mossadegh was named prime minister twice by the Shah and twice dismissed. In what way that meant that the US “got rid of parliamentary democracy” that did not exist is not clear.

To be sure, the United States isn't a perfect nation and hasn't had perfect policies. But one wonders why the Democrats are so diligent in finding American fingerprints on foreign policy conflicts. It reminds me of when, after September 11, President Clinton mentioned the Crusades as a sort-of "pox on both our houses" argument. Self-confidence is an important ingredient in foreign policy and Democrats don't have it.