Many Americans seems to think that the US government have the world opinion with them in this case, and that France among others are some loners with a strange agenda. I am afraid that is not the case. The US president went to war without the UN's approval.
United States seem to be using the old UN resolution i.e. to finish off the 1991 job.
USA has some countries with them (much thanks to alliances and agreements from the past, partly through threats, and they have also paid some good dollars to others for some support).
France has stated (in effect) that it will unconditionally veto any resolution that involves the use of force. Reason for this; France (and Russia) has trade deals with Saddam’s regime, which involves billions of dollars.
1) Damaged the United Nations. This is extremely severe to the future of this world.
Already damaged before the current conflict due to self-interest within security members e.g. France is more dependent on Middle East oil than the United States.
2) Caused a crack in Nato. This is extremely severe to the post WW2 western countries.
It will take the next top 14~15 countries(including United Kingdom) to equal United States in military expenditure. With such magnitude it's no wonder that the US was involve in this current conflict. US government does worry about US public option btw.
3) Caused a crack in the European Union, which is bad for the entire future Europe.
It only solidifies some major parts of the old British Empire i.e. United States, United Kingdom and Australia.
4) Caused cracks in many governments. Some good UK ministers has even resigned.
To be specific, UK's Labour government.
Let's just say that I think that the world was a better and safer place back in Clinton's days.
Appeasement diplomacy has it’s limits (e.g. WW2 as an example).
5) Further damaged the stability in the Arab world.
Israel/Palestine issues would be the brick that would weight down US relationship with Arab countries. It would seems that the cursed ‘old world’ conflict has bitten US.
I do recall (from history books), the original founding of United States is for people fleeing the ‘old world’ problems. I just don’t why US are involving such a mess (involvement started around WWII).
IF nations develop alternative to petroleum based engines, this ‘old world’ problems could be reduced i.e.
1. France wouldn’t have same level of self-interest to veto the new resolution.
2. United States wouldn’t have same level of self-interest in the Middle East i.e. wasting billion dollars in aid (a.k.a buying friends) or being involved with the mess.
