U.S.: Chose your friends wisely

In recent decades the U.S. has put together a pretty impressive record of backing the wrong horse in international affairs; the backlash of which it may now be suffering through.

There was the Shaw of Iran throughout the 40s-70s; Saddam Hussein of the late 70s and 80s; Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines; Panama's Noriega and the list goes on. Unfortunately, each of these men were well known for their abuse of power, if not outright disregard for human rights.

And as is the case on the local political stage, if you back the wrong people, there's a price to pay. This is especially the case in the Middle East were memories of wrongdoing or perceived wrongs, go back centuries. Not only does the U.S., apparently, not understand the dynamics involved (as the British were guilty of during their colonial days), but it seems unwilling to adjust tactics. This arrogance, of course, will make it difficult to foster better ties in the region.

It may be beneficial to forgo the big-brother stance for a more respectful approach for national sovereignty -- and negotiate with national counterparts instead of at them. The next few years will tell the tale.

Manuel Noriega on his way to France?

America's favorite Latin America dictator who, once plucked from power and jailed in 1990, is set to be released Sept. 9.

Unfortunately for him, however, France has requested their turn on prosecuting old Pineapple face. The French convicted him of buying land there with illegal drug money. And so goes another "officer" of American foreign policy --- once backed and now left for the French to pick at his politically-irrelevant carcass.

France, of course, isn't the only one lined up to get at him; he's been convicted of murder, kidnapping, political corruption and the list goes on. Now, as he fights extradition to the land of whine and cheese, one can only imagine how he relives his years as dictator. But alas, the U.S. tends to create its own international law when it comes to deposing international leaders.

I can't help but wonder how we'd react if, say, Iran convicted Bush of a crime and sent in a snatch team to take him back to Tehran to serve his sentence.