Failed Foreign Policy? Think Again

[ethics]

As I was doing my daily reading of today's news something occurred to me. Yes, it's basic and it's known but it's huge.

Check this out.

Since 2001:

1. Lybia has stated that they will curb their WMD research.
2. Lybia also wants to have peace with Israel.
3. Afghanistan has a constitution and has no radicals burning dogs on the streets and executing people in soccer stadium.
4. Iraq is Saddam free and with US and coalitions' help, will have democracy.
5. North Korea offers to halt Nuke facilities.
6. China stepped in in the meantime, to rein in NK in the meantime, which took all of the "dear leader's" wind from the sails.
7. Saudi Reformists demand that Saudi Royal system be changed to a constitutional monarchy (http://debka.com/article.php?aid=760).
8. India and Pakistan want to go to peace talks.
9. Syria goes to Turkey, their arch nemesis for decades, in offer of peace.

I am sure I am forgetting a few.

Anyway, I am sure that probably half of the above will fall through, but I can't say that US has had a bad Foreign Policy.

[Sierra Mike]

Oh, yes we do, and I'm sure I hear a yapping poodle already foaming at the mouth, ready to attack.

But my own theory is...all of this sounds great, but it spells the death of the military-industrial complex. I mean, at this rate, next year will be the rebirth of free love and all that...and between the Indians and Pakis, of all people.

SM

[ShinyTop]

While I don't think our foreign policy is responsible for all of the above I think putting the world on notice we will not be kicked around was a damn good move and enough reason for the war.

[Stiofán]

Don't worry Steve, the French will jump in and screw it up before long. The only thing more important than our industrial military complex surviving is their industrial military complex surviving.

[Sierra Mike]

Don't worry Steve, the French will jump in and screw it up before long. The only thing more important than our industrial military complex surviving is their industrial military complex surviving.
Ha! Yeah, that's true.

SM

[Huntress]

When a country is as powerful as the U.S., others in the world are going to be against alot of what we do anyway, whether from fear, jelousy, or whatever. I agree with Shiny that countries are now convinced that we will not stand by, while our citizens are put in danger. Besides, they may see the advantage of hanging with the "Top Dog." :)

[Coriolis]

As I was doing my daily reading of today's news something occurred to me. Yes, it's basic and it's known but it's huge.

Check this out.

Since 2001:

1. Lybia has stated that they will curb their WMD research.
2. Lybia also wants to have peace with Israel.
3. Afghanistan has a constitution and has no radicals burning dogs on the streets and executing people in soccer stadium.
4. Iraq is Saddam free and with US and coalitions' help, will have democracy.
5. North Korea offers to halt Nuke facilities.
6. China stepped in in the meantime, to rein in NK in the meantime, which took all of the "dear leader's" wind from the sails.
7. Saudi Reformists demand that Saudi Royal system be changed to a constitutional monarchy (http://debka.com/article.php?aid=760).
8. India and Pakistan want to go to peace talks.
9. Syria goes to Turkey, their arch nemesis for decades, in offer of peace.

I am sure I am forgetting a few.

Anyway, I am sure that probably half of the above will fall through, but I can't say that US has had a bad Foreign Policy.Just occuring to you now? It has been a bizarre week (in which a number of these items came together), so in that respect, don't jinx it now! :)

[ditch]

Its fair to say that if there's a tough guy around who's willing to kick a few heads then others who see themselves as possible targets will respond in one way or another. Especially if the tough guy is very big. It works at all levels not just internationally.

I was wondering if there was a similar reaction by other disputing countries when the first Iraqi war was on. Was that conflict seen as specific to Iraq/Kuwait or was there a broader flexing of muscles that other countries responded to.

I think Shiny is correct here too. All of the positives you listed above Leon cannot 100% be attributed to US foreign policy under GW. Why would India and Pakistan kiss and making up be influenced by a strong US foreign policy?

[ethics]

I think Shiny is correct here too. All of the positives you listed above Leon cannot 100% be attributed to US foreign policy under GW. Why would India and Pakistan kiss and making up be influenced by a strong US foreign policy?
A few reasons.

1. Our dealing with Pakistan showed India's radicals that we are willing to deal even with a country like Pakistan. They can scream and vent all about the injustices and how the horrid Muslim nation is out to screw India and the rest of the world. It finally put a lid on that. For better or worse.

2. In Pakistan, it showed its radicals that no matter how horrid you want to paint the US, we can be dealt with and will be dealt with, diplomatically.

At the very least you discount the radicals on both sides and you force the rest of the country to support dealing with each other neighbor that will not go away.

I do, however, agree that US is not responsible 100% of all of the listings I've provided, but at the very least it has it play in all of those countries.

[ethics]

Just occuring to you now? It has been a bizarre week (in which a number of these items came together), so in that respect, don't jinx it now! :)
LOL! Sorry. It was just weird, you know, seeing all these news reports and I am like, "whoa, this is weird..." ;)

[Copzilla]

It all boils down to the old country philosophy of walking softly and carrying a big stick.

A tough stance isn't a failure. Pandering isn't success. A classic example that is always forgotten is the Iranian hostage crisis. When the hand wringing stopped, the ass-kicking about to begin, the hostages were released.

The world totally forgot we had the capability to kick their stinking asses all the way back to the stone age. They know it now. Let peace reign.

(Except for maybe North Korea, who are still acting like a bunch of freakin' idiots.)

[ditch]

I do, however, agree that US is not responsible 100% of all of the listings I've provided, but at the very least it has it play in all of those countries.

There are some broader implications at work too IMO. The global vibes have changed. Like that one? ;) The mood of international politics and power play has been influenced a lot by the US recently and represents a change from the influence the previous US admin. had. There are many domino effect type reactions by countries who have not necessarily been pressured directly into lifting their act but can see the world changing around them and perhaps respond accordingly.

The big kid on the block has flexed his muscles.

[ethics]

You explained it better than I did, ditch, that's basically it in a nutshell.

[ethics]

Besides, they may see the advantage of hanging with the "Top Dog." :)
That's a good point, it's not just about a stick, but a carrot with a stick. :)

[Robert Harris]

...at this rate, next year will be the rebirth of free love and all that...and between the Indians and Pakis, of all people.


I am all in favor of a revival of free love, but shy waste such a good ything on Infia and Pakistan? Let's have it in New York.

[Stiofán]

http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0113/p01s01-wome.html

Interesting article about the changes in the M.E.

[ethics]

http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0113/p01s01-wome.html

Interesting article about the changes in the M.E.
Interesting, no? CSM is an excellent and objective source for news, folks, they may go left or right a few times but I would consider them to be way above most.

Thanks for the link. :)

[Pyrion]

Anyway, I am sure that probably half of the above will fall through, but I can't say that US has had a bad Foreign Policy.

The perceived problem is that, to some people, the ends don't justify the means. What it took to accomplish this was a show of power from what was once perceived for the past half-century as a paper tiger. The "shock" was Afghanistan, the "awe" was Iraq, and now the rest of the world's major problems are caving in under fear that the United States will go after "them" next.