Rogue state (book)
Rogue state (. English title: Rogue State: A Guide to the World's Only Superpower ) is a political non-fiction book by William Blum . It was first published in 2000. In it, Blum describes and criticizes little-known aspects of US foreign policy from the Second World War to the present day. The book briefly became world-famous when Osama bin Laden recommended it to be read in one of his video messages in 2006.
The title alludes to the rogue political catchphrase used by various US governments, which is commonly used to refer to other nations. In Blum's opinion, however, the US is itself a rogue state, which he tries to substantiate through extensive analyzes of lesser-known aspects of US politics. His criticism is directed, among other things, against the influence of the USA on the domestic politics of other countries through covert operations by the CIA and the United States Department of Defense . In his opinion, the terrorism directed against the United States and the hostility in parts of the Arab world are the result (in the sense of a blowback ) of decades of failed policy. This is characterized by the ruthless exercise of violence and in the past was often practiced without democratic control and without the knowledge of the public.
The first chapter of the English edition of the book is titled, "Why Do Terrorists Keep Picking Up The United States?" The titles of the following chapters: “America's Gift to the World; friendship with Afghan terrorists ”,“ The United States against the World under the Presidency of the United Nations ”and“ How the CIA Sent Nelson Mandela to Prison for 28 Years ”.
Reviews
Rogue state is an indictment tied to a cobblestone and thrown at the men in Washington. (Rogue State is a book of charges to be tied to a paving stone and thrown at the men in Washington) - The Independent on Sunday
William Blum, a former US State Department employee, gives us frightening food for thought - that while there was no justification for 9/11, there might very well have been reasons. (William Blum, once of the US State Department, gives a chilling reminder that while there may be no justification for September 11, there may be reasons.) - Mavis Cheek, The Observer , Books of the Year 2001
Mentioned by bin Laden
The book was mentioned in a video address given by Osama bin Laden on January 19, 2006, when it was broadcast by Al Jazeera . Bin Laden said on the occasion, "It is useful for you to read the book The Rogue State." The sales increased significantly immediately.
When the author was asked if he was astonished by bin Laden's praise for the book, Blum replied: “I was happy. I knew it would sell the book, and I didn't care who the praise came from. If, like me, he dislikes certain points in US foreign policy, then I support any positive emphasis he has on the book. I think it's good that he shares these views and I am not negatively affected by it. "
Prior to bin Laden's statement, the book was number 209,000 on the Amazon sales list. The next day, it was ranked 26th.
Bin Laden literally quoted a statement from Blum, but it was taken from his 2004 book Freeing the World to Death: Essays on the American Empire :
“If I were president, I could stop terrorist attacks on the United States forever in a matter of days. First, I would apologize - publicly and very seriously - to all the widows and orphans, to the impoverished and tortured, and to the many more millions of victims of American imperialism . Then I would announce to every corner of the world that the time of American military interventions is over forever. ” (Originally: If I were president, I could stop terrorist attacks against the United States in a few days. Permanently. I would first apologize - very publicly and sincerely - to all the widows and orphans, the impoverished and the tortured, and the many millions of other victims of American imperialism. Then I would announce to every corner of the world that America's global military interventions have come to an end. )
German translation
- Rogue state , translated by Herbert Kranz, Kai Homilius Verlag , Berlin 2006 ISBN 3-89706-864-8
- Rogue state. Guide to understanding the only remaining superpower , translated by Verena Gajewski, Kai Homilius Verlag, Berlin 2008, ISBN 978-3-89706-530-7
Web links
- Excerpts from the 2000 English edition
- Washington Post article about the mention in bin Laden's video message