Introduction
Overtime, western countries have intervened in a number of issues that affect various countries inhabited by the Arabian people, who profess the Islamic religion. Some of the countries targeted by the western countries in their intervention include Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Egypt, Libya, and Mali. Although some of the intentions associated with the western involvement are positive and have goodwill, their outcomes are often counterproductive and negative.
The negative or counterproductive outcomes arise from misrepresentation and wrong imagery that the Muslim world has on the western world. Moreover, in their quest to intervene, fight terrorism, and address various conflicts in these countries, western countries violate a range of human rights and at times kill innocent civilians. Therefore, the article uses forms of western intervention, expected results, and the actual results to discuss the counter productive and unsuccessful outcomes of western intervention in countries like Libya, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Mali.
Western Intervention
Although western countries employ different methods of intervention in Islamic countries such as Mali and Libya, majority of them engage in direct combat sending numerous troops to the subject countries. These troops work together with native forces to keep peace and order in the countries. Bombing, shooting, and killing of suspected terrorists are some of the methods that the forces employ to fight terrorism and manage conflicts.
Essentially, employment of these methods aggravates the resentment that the native populations develop towards the forces and leads to increased radicalism and terrorists groups in the particular countries. The presence of French troops in Mali and invasion of the United States in Iraq and Afghanistan are examples that clarify western intervention and involvement in direct combat. Instead of using other forms that can yield productive results, western countries use force and manage problems using war other than preventing them using diplomacy.
Expected Results
The focus driving western countries to intervene in Mali and Afghanistan include war on terror and assistance in curbing civil unrest or conflicts. For instance, when Afghanistan suffered the effects of poor governance and war from terrorists, the United States sent its troops to restore peace and order and fight terrorism. In addition, when rebel forces overthrew the Mali government, French troops went into the country with the primary goal of restoring peace and tranquillity. In the perspective of western countries, their objectives include curbing terrorism and minimising conflicts or civil unrest in these countries.
War on terrorism is one of the primary objectives that western countries have when they intervene in various issues affecting countries in the Arab world. It is fundamental to highlight that several western countries have experienced the negative effects of terrorism in various instances, and thus, work hard to eliminate and deal with terror groups. The bombings of the World Trade Centre and the United States embassy in Kenya and Tanzania are some examples that demonstrate the extent of negative effects occasioned by terrorism. Therefore, western countries and some leaders from various countries work together to deal with the challenge of terrorism.
The association of terrorism with the Islamic religion is a factor that has made several countries that profess the religion look like sympathisers of the terror gangs mistakenly, and as such, they become primary targets.
Another objective that compels the western countries to intervene in regions such as the Arab world is the numerous cases of civil unrest and internal conflicts. Over the recent past, a number of countries in northern part of Africa have experienced widespread civil unrest and internal conflicts, which led to changes in their governments. Some of the countries include Egypt, Libya, and Mali. In an attempt to address the conflicts, western countries sent their forces and work together with the native forces to restore tranquillity and peace in the subject countries. The presence of forces from the United States in Libya is a good example that elaborates the western intervention in achievement of peace and harmony. In addition, when France sent its forces into Mali after the rebels overthrew the government, the main intention compelling their intervention was to restore peace and create a democratic government.
Counterproductive and Unsuccessful Outcomes
Significantly, the expected results that western countries focus on during their intervention in countries in the Arab world and North Africa comprise curbing terrorism and helping the countries attain peace during times of civil unrest. However, these objectives rarely become attainable and at times, the interventions end up as counterproductive yielding unexpected consequences. Increased internal wrangles, high levels of terrorism, and violation of human rights are some of the negative consequences that occasion from the intervention of western countries in nations like Mali, Afghanistan, Libya, and Iraq.
The consequences transpire because of the perceived target on Muslims in these countries, who develop a feeling that the west targets them with the belief that they are sympathisers of terrorists and militia groups. When the United States invaded Iraq and Afghanistan, the citizens of the respective countries saw the intervention as a form of dictatorship, which trampled on their rights and sovereignty. As a result, they developed a negative feeling towards the intervention, a factor that stirred radicalism and increased the number of terror groups in the countries. In addition, the initial plan of France to manage the Mali war within weeks has extended and the troops have increased to control the escalating problem. Therefore, instead of producing the expected outcomes and objectives, western intervention leads to increased challenges and negative consequences, which are counterproductive and complex.
Conclusion
Western intervention in countries like Iraq, Afghanistan, and Mali usually yield unsuccessful and counterproductive results. Although, their intervention focus on minimising internal conflicts and fighting terrorism, western countries usually increase the problems in the subject countries and rarely achieve the desired objectives. The perceived target on Muslims and violation of human rights through killings that in extreme cases result in death of women and children, make achievement of objectives complex and challenging. Therefore, the concept that western intervention is unproductive and unsuccessful is factual and realistic.