Later when the Americans invaded Iraq and all the world's people were pointing to her greed for the world's second largest oil reservoir, some blamed her for occupation and dominance and yet others alleged her of strengthening the hands of Israel. Only Tariq Ali said that it was clear case of 'recolonisation' of Iraq albeit the Middle East in his recently published book under the same rubric. Also otherwise the term 'colonisation' indeed subsumes all other reasons advanced so far for the invasion and occupation of Iraq. Now whether it is an oil grab, US' geopolitical dominance or strengthening the state of Israel they are also covered by colonisation which indeed facilitates all other subsequent objectives. At the core of all or any of these actions is an imperial impulse.

It is an irony however that in colonisation and subsequent actions the Americans are not the sole players of the game. There are comprador allies, quislings and collaborators from among the nations who play significant role in bartering everything for the preservation of their self interests. A grand sweep of the history would reveal endless treacheries, chicaneries and sophistries being perpetrated on both sides of the spectrum -- particularly by the Arab-Islamic countries. The brutal Spanish inquisition would not have succeeded in annihilating the Muslims from Spain had it not been for the treacheries of Muslim leaders in colluding with Queen Isabella, Kings Ferdinand and Alfonso. Some fundamentalist Hindu leaders in India have recently made a close study of the success of the Spanish inquisition. Perhaps they are thus encouraged to replicate a sort of Hindu inquisition on virtually defenseless Indian Muslims.

Likewise the medieval European crusaders would not have succeeded in gaining a foothold in Palestine had it not for the complicity of deviant corrupt Fatimide rulers along with the small numbers of petty Muslim leaders ruling over the surrounding kingdoms. The small and divided weak states were, in fact, created to serve British colonial interests. Those states are now functioning as American military bases -- precisely doing the bidding for the American masters.

The damage inflicted by treachery can indeed be enormous and it often altered even the course of history. For example, the fate of Muslim history in India might have been different had Mir Jafar not betrayed the Muslim ruler of Bengal in the battle of Plassey in 1757. Indeed the traitors existed throughout the history from its inception until the present day. Look at the extent of treachery when United Arab Republic with its hollow stunt of Arab unity broke down, the weapons of the constituent countries were used with greater ferocity against the fellow Arab/Islamic neighbours or for internal repression than against the true adversaries.

The entire war in Iraq was conducted with full cooperation of its neighbhours. A mercurial Muammar Gaddafi, another champion of Arab unity also has courted the West's friendship by dismantling its nuclear programme -- but after years of lunacy and inflicting injuries both on himself and his country. Most of the wealthy Arab states invested heavily in the US, Europe and even indirectly in the Israeli economy, rather than their own country or in any neighbouring poorer Arab/Islamic countries.

Apart from the hollow concept of Arab nationalism, the Arabs also endured the years of spinless rhetoric from their secular dictators. For how many years did we hear from Tehran about the Great Satan! The Satan is at its doorstep indiscriminately killing Shias and Sunnis alike in Iraq. Now what have they done about it? To the contrary the 'Great Satan' was assisted in its war in Afghanistan. Now Khatami also has abandoned Iran's nuclear deterrence with Pakistan perhaps not far behind. What a cowering down of Arab-Islamic world to the combined threat of US and Israel!

On the invaders' part it is all about reshaping the Middle East with American version of 'freedom', 'democracy' and 'liberty' which translates to turning Iraq into another subservient pro-Israeli country or US' military base like Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain and of course a market for the American companies. The recent Afghan women entering the bikini contest, perhaps soon to be followed by cabaret performance are examples of what the colony will mean.

Then the elevation of Shirin Ebadi in Iran, given prime coverage on CNN for her fight to acquire 'women's right' has become a contrivance to attack Islamic values. Even if the Arabs/Muslims could do precious little to reverse the trend they by their innumerable omissions and commissions have made themselves a laughing stock and reinforced the stereotyped image of the lazy, corrupt, rich, useless... And another spell of colonisation is sure to debase them further.

Brig ( retd) Hafiz is former DG of BIISS.