Below is an excerpt from Senator Bernie Sanders's response to the ISIS attacks in Paris as given during the Democratic debate on Saturday, 11/14 (the day after the attacks) at Drake University in Iowa. Read the following quote and answer the questions below.
"International terrorism is a major issue that we've got to address today. And I agree with much of what -- the secretary (Hillary Clinton) and -- and the governor (Michael O'Malley) have said. Only have one area of -- of disagreement with the secretary. I think she said something like, "The bulk of the responsibility is not ours." Well, in fact, I would argue that the disastrous invasion of Iraq, something that I strongly opposed, has unraveled the region completely. And led to the rise of Al Qaeda -- and to -- ISIS.
Now, in fact, what we have got to do -- and I think there is widespread agreement here - 'cause the United States cannot do it alone. What we need to do is lead an international coalition which includes -- very significantly - Muslim nations in that region are going have to fight and defend their way of life.
I don't think any sensible person would disagree that the invasion of Iraq led to the massive level of instability we are seeing right now. I think that was one of the worst foreign policy plunders in the modern history of United States. Not only did I vote against the war in Iraq, if you look at history, you will find that regime change -- whether it was in the early '50s in Iran, whether it was toppling Salvador Allende in Chile or whether it was overthrowing the government Guatemala way back when -- these invasions, these -- these toppling of governments, regime changes have unintended consequences. I would say that on this issue I'm a little bit more conservative than the secretary.
It is enormously complicated. But here's something that I believe we have to do is we put together an international coalition. And that is we have to understand that the Muslim nation in the region, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey, Jordan, all of these nations, they're going just have to get their hands dirty, their boots on the ground. They are going have to take on ISIS. This is a war for the soul of Islam. And those countries who are opposed to Islam [I think he meant radical Islamic fundamentalism], they are going have to get deeply involved in a way that is not the case today. We should be supportive of that effort. So should the UK, so should France. But those Muslim countries are going have to lead the efforts. They are not doing it now."
Questions
1. Why does Senator Sanders believe the United States has major responsibility for conditions in the Middle East today?
2. What is the Senator's attitude toward regime change?
3. What does Senator Sanders propose as a way to combat ISIS?
4. In your opinion, what should be done to prevent future attacks like the one in Paris this weekend?
Sources:
- http://www.cbsnews.com/news/democratic-debate-transcript-clinton-sanders-omalley-in-iowa/
- http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alan-singer/teaching-about-paris-and_b_8568550.html
