New Cold War threat as espionage heats up

In attempting to justify the continued spying on American citizens without court warrants, Michael McConnell, head of the US National Intelligence, told the House Judiciary Committee that the measures are still needed, not least because there is an increase in spying activity from Russia and China.

He went further and told the Congress committee that such were the activities of these foreign nations, that it could be compared to the days of the Cold War, when allegedly spying by Russia was at its peak.

Such words are music to the ears of most Americans, many of whom firmly believe "the only good Communist is a dead Communist".

Disregard, as these Americans do, that communism is a dying belief with Russia, and even China, both having reinvented the doctrines of the past and embracing their own interpretation of capitalism - which seems to be doing very nicely, thank you very much.

But with many Americans it is a case of "give a dog a bad name and hang him". Or even, "a leopard can't change its spots". Whichever, the right-wing hawkish element remains firmly convinced that Russia must always be watched, for they believe it is unpredictable and an unreliable ally - when it professes itself to be an ally, that is.

Now, with increasing paranoia, which seems to infect most of American society since 9/11, doubt is cast on all foreigners, whether on US soil or elsewhere.

For this reason, McConnell and his cohorts believe the only way to protect American interest, which, contrary to their claims, may not be the same interests of all lovers of freedom but only American, it is believed the right way to proceed is to have unlimited access to all telephone calls, emails and any other forms of communication between citizens within the US and a foreign country.

At the moment the security agencies have to apply for such powers for a limited period, and keep applying prior to the expiry of such Congress permissions. This enables Congress to assess the situation at the time and decide if such draconian measures are indeed necessary.

Certainly many civil liberties groups claim the powers are unjustified, and ad hoc warrants, which worked before, are more than sufficient to achieve the results required.

But by McConnell throwing the Congress and right wing hawks the possibility of a return to the Cold War days from mid-1940s to early 1990s, it gives an extra impetus to those who believe the US not only is the greatest nation on Earth but should remain so at any cost.

Furthermore, that the US will brook no challenge from any other nation that may wish to usurp the US. For they firmly believe it is only the US that can maintain peace and stability, law and order, and restore democracy to those countries who are foolish enough to work to a different agenda.

'Reds under the bed'

It is for this reason that the "reds under the bed" mentality of the Joseph McCarthy years of the 1950s are resurfacing. It was a time when America showed its most shameful side in regard to freedoms of speech and democracy. When neighbour spied and reported upon neighbour and many fled the country for fear of recrimination.

Does this sound familiar? Remember the recent call by the Homeland Security Department to let security authorities know of any suspect behaviour by anyone, including your neighbour?

This is why we are seeing foreign nationals being pulled out of queues at airport check-ins; or being thrown off airlines because they are bearded and "foreign looking". A marked contrast from "give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free ...".

It is the American predilection to lumping together all adversaries, and frequently personalising them, that is so abhorrent. So we see, branded with the same iron, Russia and China, North Korea and Syria, Iran and, with the same breathtaking inclusion, Al Qaida in Iraq and Afghanistan.

But worse, it is the personalisation of these nations as in the past. In the Second World War, it was never "Germany, it was "Hitler"; it was never "Italy", it was "Mussolini"; it was never Japan, it was Hirohito. Which is why it is not Iran, it is Ahmadinejad; it is not North Korea, it is Kim Jong-il; and it is not Al Qaida, it is Osama Bin Laden.

Doubtless, soon, once the alleged rapprochement between Russia and the US cools, and Putin steps aside, there will be an increase in tensions between the two countries, as the US starts taking pot-shots at Russia.

Similarly, China, which has already been lined up in the sights of America, courtesy of US businessmen doing their best to discredit Chinese-made products, there will be an increased war of words - and US-imposed sanctions? - against China, not least because of China's increasing prosperity and dominance in the world.

The US security chiefs may think there is a return to the Cold War days of yesterday, but such thinking is only likely to send a chill down the spine of many of its allies.