What conflict abroad means for us at home
Dr. Susan Haynes encourages U.S. citizens to be knowledgeable of international affairs
Cate Zenzen |
On Jan. 3, a U.S. drone strike killed Iran’s regional military interventions leader, Quassem Soleimani. Several days later, according to the Associated Press, retaliation in the form of a ballistic missile attack hit two bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq, but left no casualties. Both countries accused the other of acts of terrorism, and while U.S.- Iran relations are historically hostile, Susan Haynes suggests this event has escalated the conflict.
“Overt military action of this caliber is certainly a much more aggressive move than what we have seen in the past in the United States. Most scholars believe it is not going to escalate to the level of war unless we see other moves that would warrant us moving in that direction,” says Haynes, assistant professor of political science in the Department of History, Politics and Philosophy housed in Lipscomb’s College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
According to information released by the Trump Administration, the drone raid on Soleimani was in response to intelligence on an imminent attack on the United States by Iran. This means that under International Law, the actions of the U.S. are justifiable as self-defense, according to Haynes. While the subject and source of this knowledge is not publicly-disclosed, other countries cannot challenge the decision.
Haynes points out that “these things do not happen in a vacuum,” and the damage was felt around the world. As Iranian forces waited in expectation of a U.S. counterattack that never came, a Ukraine International Airlines commercial flight was inadvertently shot down and all 176 passengers were killed. Onboard the plane were many Iranians and Iranian-Canadians, leaving both countries in mourning and questioning where to place their loyalties.
“At this point, what people are focusing more on is the internal turmoil that is festering right now in Iran and what that means. It seems as though the wrath of the Iranian people has transitioned from America to its own government, and expert analysts are wondering what this means for the stability of the regime,” said Haynes.
Just like many topics, Iran-U.S relations have complex, politically-charged notions tied to them. To get the full picture, Haynes recommends the website Allsides.com, which places headlines on a spectrum of political perspectives.
“What I encourage students to do on any subject is either try to pick a somewhat neutral source or read a variety of sources for the full story. I recommend staying abreast of the developments because even reading the news daily isn’t enough to get all angles,” says Haynes.
As the conflict advances, Haynes encourages U.S. citizens to be sensitive to the fallout of current events. In response to the attacks, a large number of troops were deployed to the Middle East, and many families are missing their loved ones. Haynes argues that ignorance towards current events hurts those who are directly affected by it, such as military families.
“We need to be incredibly aware of the actions that our government and others are taking, especially as they involve military action and military troops. Be knowledgeable of the conflict and aware of what is going on because it absolutely impacts someone you know,” she says.
An informed opinion and a neutral news source will also be important as we approach another presidential election, Haynes says. For further education on international and national affairs, Haynes points out the valuable resource right on campus in Lipscomb’s Department of History, Politics and Philosophy. Students in courses offered in the department have the opportunity to pull apart complex global problems in a classroom environment under the guidance of a professor.
“I think college is a really precious time to try to learn about these dynamics before you set free into the world and are expected to digest them for yourself,” says Haynes.
Haynes has a doctorate in political science and specializes in nuclear weapon strategy. She published a book in 2017 examining the motivations behind China’s arsenal increase, and recently finished an article on Chinese-Indian nuclear relations. This semester she will continue a long-standing research project with students considering the divide between the federal government and faith-based nonprofits.
To learn more about the Department of History, Politics and Philosophy, click here.