I have little respect for George Bush. I perceive myself as a moderate Muslim and yet he offends me. He has had no regard for the international system, shown no respect for international humanitarian thinking or norms. And he has always acted in greatest of righteousness. His dominant sometimes insolent 'go it alone' attitude isolated America from some of her closest allies. His one sided, pro-Israeli policy, his determined justification of an illegal war on Iraq has lost him credibility amongst the Muslim world. His uncompromising and despotic behaviour has made America not just the enemy of terrorists, but of communities and entire populations.
Even America's closest ally, Britain has a public that continues to spit wrath on Bush's face. The British media and political talk shows hardly ever attract even consolatory views of Bush.
Outside of America, the greater number of people who had wanted John Kerry to win, had not supported him for his superior ability or in the belief that he would drastically change American Foreign policy. Rather, it had been a desperate measure to find an alternative for what they saw as a powerful, legitimate dictator. Bush's international opponents see his policies as a 21st century imperialism, an attempt to revert to a political concept millions fought to defeat.
But Americans clearly thought differently. In 2000 when George Bush became President, there were questions about his legitimacy, the lack of democracy in the process, he had lost the popular vote though he was elected to hold the world's most powerful position. However, this time there was no obscurity, there were no questions. Bush won a decisive majority, the largest popular vote an American President had gained in many years.
This victory came despite the US losing more than a 1000 troops in Iraq and amidst increasing and obvious opposition to the long-drawn out war in Iraq.
The American people did not just give George Bush a second chance, they vindicated his beliefs, his internationally unpopular policy and his 'big bully' image.
President Bush's victory is not just a second term as an American President, it will signify a lot more, greater division and more insecurity. As a Sri Lankan, I am forced to take a positive view as the victory may augur well for the country. The Bush administration has been supportive and involved in the peace process whilst it has kept a firm eye on the LTTE. There will be no cessation of the war on terror and the Sri Lankan government can only benefit by such a stance. America's stern warnings to the LTTE has played a significant role in making the rebel group aware of its international marginalisation, which in turn has forced them to be committed to a peace process. But the Sri Lankan government, like many other third-world countries, will face new complexities in reconciling between supporting old allies or standing for their principles and depending on America. When President Bush declared war on Iraq, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe found it very difficult to take a firm stance, it was a choice between moral justice and supreme power.
But as a Muslim living in the West, I see this victory in an entirely different spectrum. Europe had hoped that Bush will be defeated, they had hoped they could re-instate normal relations with America, they had wanted to see an end to the antagonism.
But as Jonathan Freedland writes in Thursday's, British Guardian newspaper - "For those outside America, in the chanceries of Europe and beyond, who hoped that this would be a passing phase, like a Florida hurricane that wreaks havoc only to blow over, will instead have to adjust to a different reality".
With little international backing and questions about domestic support President Bush had acted with conviction on every unpopular decision he took. Now with a pat on the back from a majority of his countrymen, it is difficult to imagine what may restrain him. A continuation of his policies are likely to undermine international systems, disregard international norms and create more insecurity in the geo-political arena. American people have elected a man they believed will defend and protect their nation, but they have also increased the threat their country would face and plunged the world into a state of higher risk.
The key European States that opposed the war on Iraq will have to move closer to mend ties with the United States. It is not possible to stand against such a powerful nation. British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who has constantly been tagged as Bush's poodle, will have an opportunity to defy his critiques. Just prior to the US elections he permitted British soldiers to be led by US forces in areas under American control, a decision that sparked an outcry in Britain. A second term for Bush is also a second chance for Blair to either forge an international consensus, particularly with Europe and the US, or else detach himself from the internationally condemned American hegemony.
But the results of the November 2 election speaks volumes. It is not just a victory for Bush, it is not just about greater international insecurity, it has also shown that the political believes of the world super power is moving more to the right. Bush's campaign was largely based on the 3F's of 'family, faith and flag'. He focused primarily on attracting the vast number of conservative Americans and hit at their core values. Republicans won overwhelmingly in the heart of Christian America. So this victory is not just a political event, but is a statement on the clear right wing position of the country.
The world is today facing much more than what Samuel Huntington called a clash of civilizations. It is a clash of ideology where much of the world will be caught up in a war between fundamentalism. The fundamentalism of a right-wing America and the fundamentalism of the Muslim world.
The latter displays a prolific militancy, the former democratically elects a militant leader.
