The Epitome of International Cooperation (A Reflection Paper on Argo)

Argo emphasizes the situation of the United States’ embassy staff and diplomats
who were taken captive by Shiite militants in Iran. The unlawful actions were brought
about by the militants’ demand for Iran’s former Shah’s return and trial. The Shah was
given asylum by President Carter in the United States to receive cancer treatments.
Although President Carter allowed the Shah to come to the United States for
humanitarian reasons, the people of Iran was threatened and felt as if the United States
interfere with their national affairs.
The conduct of international cooperation was exemplified by the Canadian
government as it helped the six United States’ embassy staff members who have
escaped prior to the raid. These individuals took refuge in the home of the Canadian
Ambassador. They stayed inside the Canadian Ambassador’s home for several months
without external interferences and threats. Although it was not shown in the movie, it
was not only Canada that saved the lives of the American embassy staff but including
Great Britain and New Zealand. It was Great Britain who initially hosted the American
refugees; however, due to the unsafe location, the refugees were transferred to the
Canadian ambassador’s residence. The transportation of the Americans to the airport
was also made possible by the aid of New Zealand’s diplomatic ambassadors. Clearly,
all of these circumstances manifest international cooperation among states. No state of
today is indeed self-sufficient or independent.
Moreover, international cooperation is not only confined on the states’ mutual
agreement for trade as presumed by the general public. The film “Argo” revealed the
need for international cooperation and how it has been manifested. The CIA led by
Tony Mendez has contributed to the escape of the refuge but the means undertaken by
the involved states outweighed the heroic acts of Mendez and his agency. The states,
Canada, New Zealand, and Great Britain, should be fully acknowledged as they put the
lives of their respective people at risks. Indeed, no matter how dreadful the experiences
these countries have with or against one another in the past, friendship and
righteousness will prevail. Of course, we cannot totally assume that each state will
develop a diplomatic relationship with one another but in times of crisis, allied states
would always be willing to help. This was demonstrated by the international community
as it provide financial, medical, and other assistance to the Philippines when it was hit
by Typhoon Yolanda. Nevertheless, as the world becomes highly globalized, states
have also become interdependent with one another.