Numéro 3 - 27 juin 2018

SICARIO, MACHIAVELLIA- NISM OF NEOCONSERVATIVE AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY

Hugo LETEMPLE-DABAS Graduate student - International Relations Université catholique de Louvain

Technical Presenta- care of getting rid of the cartel mem- The subject and the way to show tion bers, Alejandro captures a police- the dark side of federal agencies man, a mule for the cartel, and forc- found Sicario to be compared with Sicario is a 2015 American es him to drive to Alarcon’s house. Zero Dark Thirty (2012), directed by movie, directed by Denis Villeneuve He also neutralizes Macer, who tried Kathryn Bigelow, which focused on and written by Taylor Sheridan. to follow him in the tunnels. Graver the tracking and the execution of The protagonist is Kate Macer, an then tells Kate the real goal of the Osama Bin Laden. It is interesting to idealistic FBI agent from the Critical operation is to favor the Colombian show in this paper the similarities be- Incident Response Group. During cartel Medelin to stabilize drug traf- tween the war on terror and the fight an assault on a house suspected to ficking and eliminate the escalation against drug traffics, especially since hide hostages for Mexican cartels, of violence at the border. Alejandro the 9/11 attack and the accession of an explosion causes the death of takes care of eliminating Alarcon and the neoconservative doctrine in the two of her officers. Kate’s superiors his family. His murder is a revenge Bush administration (2001-2009). suggest her to take part in a special for the murder of his own family, The use of similar methods, which task force of the Department of killed because he was a prosecutor includes relying heavily on military Justice (DoD), led by Matt Graver, fighting Mexican drug cartels in Co- forces and establishing exceptional charged to neutralize the Sonora lumbia. The film ends with Alejandro measures, has left us to wonder if the cartel. While taking the plane to the threatening Kate Macer, forcing her “war on drugs” was more a question task force base, Kate Macer meets to sign a document that certifies the of foreign policy than public health. Alejandro, Graver’s partner, a mys- legality of the operation. As he goes Thereby, the links between drug traf- terious contractor. After landing away, Kate aims her revolver on him fic and security threat could com- on the El Paso Base, they head to but finally refuses to shoot. promise the noble ideals of nation- Juarez with a team that includes US al health and focuses more on the Considered as a critical success at Marshalls, Drug Enforcement Ad- 1 theory of foreign policy developed ministration (DEA) Agents and units its release , the movie was especially since Machiavelli, focusing more on of Delta Force Army, in order to cap- praised for Villeneuve’s direction, the the success of operations rather than ture the brother of one lieutenant script and the performances from on the means put in place to achieve of the cartel. During the final assault Emily Blunt (Kate Macer) and Benicio them. We will thus focus on how Si- in the smuggling tunnels at the bor- del Toro (Alejandro). Despite a local cario manages to express Machiavel- der, Kate Macer frontally opposes controversy in Mexico for the depic- li’s principles in the fight against drug to Graver about the legality of the tion of the border between Mexico trafficking at the US-Mexican border, and the United States and the city operation. Graver explains she is just 2 and how the tensions of the Ameri- a pretext for the setup of the oper- of Juarez , Sicario allowed Director can society are represented through ation. Since the CIA is not allowed Denis Villeneuve to affirm himself in the main characters, i.e. Kate Macer, to operate on the American soil, her Hollywood after the thriller Prisoner Matt Graver and Alejandro. FBI agent status was used as a legal (2013) and before the breakthrough cover. While the task force is taking of Arrival (2016). 1 Sicario, Machiavel- are the Nobles: so that the People Vice-President Richard Cheney, Dep- placed in charge to guard the liberty uty Defense Secretary Paul Wolfow- lianism and Neoconserva- of anyone, reasonably will take better itz (who had Allan Bloom, a student tism care of it; for not being able to take it of Leo Strauss, as a college teacher), The popular culture rooted the away themselves, they do not permit and finally John Bolton, the Deputy 6 political thought of Machiavelli as a others to take it away.” Secretary of State for International way to preserve power in unscrupu- Security, were the main architects The political framework of Sicar- 10 lous or remorseful ways. We cannot of neoconservative foreign policy . io illustrates the tensions between During the first Bush administration, enumerate the amount of characters the necessity to accomplish the ob- depicted as “Machiavellian” in mov- they were the main preachers of pre- jective of getting rid of the drug -car ventive war, in order to prevent the ies, books or real life that were also tels at the Mexican border, in order established as “villains”. But when potential rise of enemies that would to assure the security of the United affect US strategic influence11. John we look a little bit closer, the political States, and the decisions taken in or- thought of Machiavelli is more the Bolton, considered as a “War Hawk”, der to achieve this goal. This leads was especially involved in the Iraq in- result of the need for political lead- to tensions between Kate Macer, a ers to ensure first and foremost the tervention of 2003, and a strong ad- young and idealist FBI recruit, and vocate for military threats against the security of their city, and the values Matt Graver, the leader of the task 3 Iranian and North Korean regimes. they defend . These principles are force against the main perpetrators the foundation of the realist theory The proponents of the neoconserva- of these cartels. Screenwriter Taylor tive theory also have in common to of International Relations. The world Sheridan, from the El Paso region, is considered as an anarchic place express military conflicts with a sim- has been deeply affected by the es- ple rhetoric (“you’re either with us, without legitimate supranational au- calation of violence in the border thority. Thus, the conflict between or against us” from president Bush area as well as the involvement of US during the launch of his program States is the only way for a political agents in this fight. It was especially a leader to establish its domination against terrorism), and to insist on female agent of the FBI he knew for the “internal” threat of the enemy in and the protection of the so-called several months that inspired him to national interests. In our analytical order to enforce the principles of for- create the character of Kate Macer. eign policy on American soil itself 12. framework, the work of Machiavel- This real-life based character was a li does not underestimate the need non-negotiable condition for the di- This principle is important in the to apply reason in the conduct of 4 rector Denis Villeneuve, despite the decision-making process and the re- foreign policy . In his book The Dis- strong opposition from the produc- sponsibilities taken by the main char- courses on the First Ten Books of Ti- tion of the film7. According to Taylor acters in Sicario. Machiavelli’s rheto- tus Livy (1517), Machiavelli defends Sheridan, Sicario depicts the most ric, as much as the neoconservative a more republican vision of the pow- violent period of fights against drug one, does not focus on ethical issues er, based on the political morality of cartels in the late 2000s in the city but only on the success of actions. the Roman republic. He develops the of Juarez. The methods of US agen- This is especially the case of Alejan- necessity of virtù for the leaders. To cies, i.e. DEA, CIA or FBI, were greatly dro’s character in his ultimate goal. assume the security of their territo- strengthened by the Bush adminis- It was because of his involvement as ry, their military and political deci- tration, according to the neo-con- a committed prosecutor against the sions must involve foresight, courage 5 servative principles, following the drug cartels that he saw his family and firmness . Machiavelli insists on attacks of September 11th, 2001. One being murdered. He then became freedom as a principle preserving of the examples in Sicario is the scene a hitman13 for the CIA, charged to the Roman Republic. He also warns where Alejandro tortures Guiller- hunt the leaders of Mexican cartels. against the possible decadence of a mo Diaz8 with the “water boarding” His morality is one of the questions republican regime that would aban- method. This method has been prac- that has elicited the most questions don itself by delegating the defense ticed by the CIA in many secret pris- from screenwriter Taylor Sheridan: of the homeland to mercenaries, and ons around the world9. “Does this make him a bad man? no longer to the people. By doing so, I do not know [...] He’s a volunteer, dominant would show their obstina- Sharing the same representation for his own reasons “14. His mission cy to retain their prerogatives and of the world and, more generally, of may be associated with Machiavelli’s their privileges: international relations (namely an idea: “the greatness of a crime can anarchic environment where each “And without doubt, if the object cover his infamy.” In The Discourse State poses a threat to the other), 15 of the Nobles and of the Ignoble [pop- on Livy , Machiavelli tells the story the third-generation neoconserva- of Pope Julius II who decided to de- ulace] is considered, it will be seen tives were greatly influenced by Ma- that the former have a great desire to stroy all the tyrants who occupied chiavelli’s supporters in foreign poli- the lands of the Church, by getting dominate, and the latter a desire not cy The election of George W. Bush as to be dominated and consequently a there almost alone. In itself, he com- President in 2000 allowed them to be mitted the most important crime of greater desire to live free, being less part of the decision-making process hopeful of usurping it [liberty] than the Ten Commandments (“you shall in the American foreign policy. The not kill”), but he did it in order to lib- 2 erate the peoples who were exploit- intelligence agencies and thus avoids which they are selected, and usually ed on religious grounds. This idea of them assuming diplomatic and polit- involve a willingness to return home actions taken as criminal but guided ical responsibilities. One of the keys or leave as soon as possible. In Sicar- by a larger consideration is the basis to the Cheney doctrine was to quietly io, this suspicion is illustrated right at of American neoconservative think- release US forces from administrative the first meeting between Kate Mac- ing. George Bush focused his political standards to ensure their effective- er and Alejandro on the plane26 that program on the importance of Chris- ness20. brings them to their base in El Paso. tian religious values in America, being The disturbing soundtrack and the himself a “born again”, who rediscov- The strategy of freeing American presentation of Alejandro from the ered the faith after several years of agents from any political restraint al- beginning as a mysterious and dark alcoholism16. The American foreign lows them to perform their actions character, hidden behind sunglass- policy of the Bush administration was according to their convictions, and es and avoiding answering Macer’s deeply marked by the attacks of Sep- thus satisfy their own state of mind. questions, accentuate the “geopoliti- tember 11, 2001 on the World Trade Machiavelli explains that soldiers cal atmosphere” developed by Klauss fighting for their own glory are the 27 Center (New York) and the Pentagon 21 Dodds . Macer’s doubts develop (Virginia). Therefore, their man ob- ones who are most efficient . In Si- throughout the film as she gets no jective would be to focus on the hunt cario, one could argue that Kate Mac- clues about Alejandro’s intentions. and capture of the leader of the ter- er’s situation illustrates this way of She questions Graver at the end of rorist group responsible for this at- motivating soldiers to become more the first meeting between the- dif tack, Osama bin Laden. However, the involved in defending American re- ferent agents and during the final difficulty of this mission was that the publican values. Her idealistic char- assault, she decides to follow him American troops would not be facing acter forces her to accept the sug- when he takes a different path from a clearly identified state-like enemy, gestion of her hierarchy to be able to the intervention team, in order to get but rather a nebula scattered even in track down the people responsible revenge from the man responsible by the American population. This “Good for the failure of her last operation killing him and his whole family28. Af- vs. Evil” approach requires contradic- in Arizona, instead of focusing on ter neutralizing him by shooting him tory action from protagonists’ claims the cartel’s little hands. However, in his bullet-proof vest, Alejandro to be in the right side. as we can see throughout the film, finds Kate at her home and threatens it’s her superiors who take advan- her with her revolver, so she would The need to reach one’s ends by tage of the situation, using her as a sign a paper to make the entire oper- going beyond the principles for which cover for their true mission, making ation legal. All the tension accumulat- the republic fights for shows the lim- her believe in the merits of the task ed throughout the film between the its of Machiavelli’s republican virtù. force. It is interesting to note that two protagonists is reflected in this The latter explains that good men, Macer’s colleague, Reggie Wayne, is final scene, where Kate then has the after certain events, can easily be refused by Graver on the pretext of 17 22 opportunity to kill Alejandro in cold corrupted . By now working for the his academic cursus . The choice of blood but does not find the strength Colombian cartels and the CIA, Ale- a female principal character, sine qua to drop her republican values. jandro joins forces with those he had none condition from screenwriter sworn to fight as a prosecutor in or- Taylor Sheridan and director Denis This representation of mistrust of der to carry out his vendetta against Villeneuve, stands out from the tra- exiles can be put in relation with the Alarcon. As Graver explains to Kate ditional representation of the Amer- “Curveball” scandal during the US after the final assault:Alejandro “ ican hero, i.e. a heterosexual white intervention in Iraq in 292003 . From works for anyone who will point him man with a classic nuclear family his real name Rafid Ahmed Alwan toward the people who made him.” (wife and children) 23. Here, the main al-Janabi, “Curveball” served as a cru- 1 The character of Graver illustrates character is a woman, divorced, with- cial source to justify the intervention the method of Vice President Dick out children or family ties. Her -per of the Bush administration in Iraq Cheney in terms of foreign policy sonal situation is a determining fac- on the grounds of the presence of during the administration of George tor of her selection by Matt Graver24. weapons of mass destruction. With W. Bush. As the Republican president Macer’s personal situation, the ab- a chemical engineering background, had little expertise in foreign policy, sence of personal constraints, allows “Curveball” claimed to have worked Richard Cheney had considerable her to devote herself solely to her in a secret laboratory for biological room for maneuver to implement his mission, Machiavelli’s representation weapons in the 1990s before going strategy. This meant concealing a lot of a soldier’s glory. On the op- into exile in Germany and seeking of information from the president to posite, there is great mistrust of ex- political asylum there. Despite the avoid exposing him and making him iled people, whether in Machiavelli’s doubts of the German intelligence “responsible” for US diplomatic and work, in Sicario or among the neo- services regarding inconsistencies in military operations19. By refusing to conservatives. Machiavelli considers his statements to the CIA, the Bush reveal to Kate Macer the true rea- citizens must distrust them because administration intervened in Iraq in sons for the dismantling of Mexican they can represent a threat to the 2003. In 2005, the revelations about cartels throughout the film, Graver republic25. Their personal goals are “Curveball” and American stubborn- conceals information from US federal usually different from the goals for ness – despite the reports of the in- 3 spectors of the United Nations – be- Juárez in ‘Sicario’ Vexes Residents www.imdb.com/title/tt3397884/ gan to be published. This case is still Trying to Move Past Dark Times». trivia?ref_=tt_trv_trv . Viewed on considered one of the most serious New York Times (https://www. March 22nd, 2018. intoxications in espionage. nytimes.com/2015/10/12/world/ americas/portrayal-of-juarez-in-sica- 14 ALLOCINE, secrets de tournage : rio-vexes-residents-trying-to-move- Sicario http://www.allocine.fr/film/ fichefilm-228114/secrets-tournage/. conclusion past-dark-times.html), 11 October 2015. Viewed on March 18th, 2018. It is clear that Sicario is not 15 MACHIAVELLI Niccolo, The Dis- only a movie about the violence of 3 COULSON Aurélien, « Machiavel, Le courses on Livy. First book, Chapter fights against the drug cartels at the Prince et la négociation », Négocia- XXVII, 1517. Mexican border, but also a represen- tions, 2013, Vol.2, n°20, pp. 147-157. tation of the principles that guided 16 Borger, Julian, How born-again the Bush administration in its foreign 4 YINDA André-Marie, « Machiavel et les néoconservateurs : L’empire en George became a man on a mission, policy, and the way it affected the The Guardian. https://www.theguar- Homeland Security of the US. For Ma- jeu ». Études internationales, 2007, Vol 38, n°1, pp. 33–50. dian.com/world/2005/oct/07/usa. chiavelli, foreign policy does not dif- georgebush , October 7th, 2005. fer from domestic politics, but there 5 MARIETTI Marina, Machiavel : Le virtù The Dis- are just different aspects of the penseur de la nécessité, 2009, Paris, 17 MACHIAVELLI Niccolo, to convey both. As an agent of the courses on Livy Payot. , First book, Chapitre FBI, and thus of US domestic security, XLII, 1517. Kate Macer embodies the defense of 6 Machiavelli, The Discourses on Sicario the American republic and the values ​​ Livy, Book I, Chapter V, 1517. 18 , 2015, 1 :35 :40 of liberty on which it is based. Graver 19 Suskind, Ron, The one percent and Alejandro, recruited by the CIA 7 ALLOCINE, secrets de tournage : doctrine : deep inside America’s pur- and therefore responsible for exter- Sicario http://www.allocine.fr/film/ suit of its enemies since 9/11. New nal actions, embody the militaryvirtù fichefilm-228114/secrets-tournage/. to maintain American foreign inter- Viewed on March 18th, 2018. York : Simon and Schuster : 2006 ests in the fight against drug cartels. 8 Sicario, 2015 : 42 :38 to 43 :25 20 SUSKIND Ron, « Chapter 5 : Going In doing so, we can argue that Sicario Operational » in The one percent doc- is a close representation of a func- 9 The Guardian, « Senate report trine : deep inside America’s pursuit tioning republic regime according on CIA torture claims spy agency of its enemies since 9/11. New York : to Machiavelli: the establishment of lied about ‘ineffective’ program», Simon and Schuster : 2006 civil discord between the elites, and https://www.theguardian.com/us- the plebs, a perpetual political con- The Dis- news/2014/dec/09/cia-torture-re- 21 MACHIAVELLI Niccolo, flict inherent to the republic30. The courses on Livy port-released (Viewed on March , First book, Chapter link between the fight against drug XLIII, 1517. trafficking and the fight against terror 23rd 2018) seems to be accentuated in Sicario’s 10 DAVID Charles-Philippe, « La po- 22 He has a Law degree sequel, Soldado. This movie focuses litique étrangère de Bush : formula- 23 DODDS Klauss, « Popular on the characters of Graver and Ale- tion et décision », dans Au sein de la Geopolitics and War on Terror », in jandro, in their mission to hunt down Maison-Blanche. La formulation de Popular Culture and Worlds Politics : a cartel-spawn that teams up with la politique étrangère des États-Unis Theories, Mehodes, Pedagogies. terrorist groups. depuis 1945, Presses de l’Université E-International Relations Publishing: Laval : 2004 (2e éd) 2015. Sicario Endotes 11 GRONDIN David, « Une lecture 24 , 2015, 11 :27 to 12 :55 critique du discours néoconservateur 25 MACHIAVELLI Niccolo, The Dis- 1 Analyzed film: Sicario. Dir. Denis du nouvel impérialisme : La lutte glo- courses on Livy, Book II, Chapter XXI, Villeneuve. Black Label Media, Lions- bale contre le terrorisme comme Pax 1517. Gate Films, Thunder Road Pictures, Americana », Études internationales, 2015. 2005, Vol 36, n°4, pp. 469–500 26 Sicario, 2015, 16 :00 to 19 :40 Cannes Festival and 3 Academy 12 YINDA André-Marie, « Machiavel 27 Dodds, Klauss, « Popular awards nomination including best et les néoconservateurs : L’empire en Geopolitics and War on Terror », in cinematography. The movie received jeu ». Études internationales, 2007, Popular Culture and Worlds Politics : a 93% aggregation on Rotten Toma- Vol 38, n°1, pp. 33–50. Theories, Mehodes, Pedagogies. toes. E-International Relations Publishing, 13 The meaning of « Sicario » 2015. 2 BURNETT Victoria, « Portrayal of in Spanish. IMDB trivia: http:// 4 28 Sicario, 2015, 1 :43 :40 to 1 :47 :42 29 PRADOS, John, THE RECORD ON CURVEBALL, Declassified Documents and Key Participants Show the Impor- tance of Phony Intelligence in the Ori- gins of the Iraq War National Security Archive Electronic Briefing, Novem- ber 5th 2007, Book N°. 234.. (Viewed March 25th, 2018) https://nsarchive2.gwu.edu//NSAE- BB/NSAEBB234/index.htm 30 PIRONET Oliver, « Machiavel contre le Machiavélisme », Le Monde Diplomatique, Novembre 2013 https://www.monde-diplomatique. fr/2013/11/PIRONET/49798

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