With a fair amount of ambivalent results and reporting about the US military's effectiveness, an opportunity to push its rapid-response and logistical expertise to the limits was just what it needed.
And succeed it did. Despite major hangups at the Port-au-Prince airport and seaport, the US military successfully acted as the largest relief and charity organization in the country (and primary logistical/structural enabler for most of the other organizations there), and averted uncountable deaths during the disaster. Ultimately, the military's story is a story best told by those who were there. I recommend an article by Popular Mechanics written by a photographer/reporter in the thick of Haiti at the time.
Why's perception so important? If the US military can show it is in top rapid-response readiness and can muster highly effective logistical wizardry at a moment's notice, then it implicitly delivers the message that, despite the resource drain of Afghanistan and Iraq, despite alleged distractions, the US military still has the capability to organize and move huge amounts of equipment and manpower away from the US continent at a moment's notice--now is not the time to make a military move in the hopes that the US is too bogged down to respond. And ultimately, this display of power (if not force) acts as a deterrent to potentially disruptive smaller nations (like Venezuela) and, at the very least, causes bigger nations (like Russia or Iran) to think twice before considering a bold move.
2 comments:
I notice your blog is pro military. Did you ever put on a uniform and serve in the military?
Do I have a pro-military bias? I hope it's not too bad.
Certainly, Foggofwar is centered around the US military and its impact on US foreign policy, but I do hope that I'm garnering a reputation for being able to criticize US foreign policy & military decisions when they're detrimental to US interests.
I had taken some flak for seeming overly optimistic on Iraq, but I think my point of view has played out much more accurately than the point of view of a lot of folks a lot more pessimistic about the situation...
Anyway. I shouldn't be explaining myself away too much. If the reader thinks there's a pro-military bias, then that's what's important.
But no, I've never served in the military. I find US foreign policy to be fascinating, and I hope to influence good decision-making someday, but I intend to lead a civilian lifestyle.
Thanks for the question.
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