Back to the future...

[bruzzes]

With the huge difference on foreign policy advocated by the two main candidates for president, which course of action would you prefer;

1. A return to realpolitik, where the US does most of it's major foreign policy by passing a global test in the UN.

2. The pre-emptive doctrine where security issues may take precedence over global concerns.

[Steve]

I despise the UN in its current form. With radical changes, it can be an instrument for positive, lasting change.

The Bush Doctine is a dead-end, long term, generating more antipathy than it's worth.

Curses upon you for forcing me to vote for the UN! ;)

[joseftu]

With the huge difference on foreign policy advocated by the two main candidates for president, which course of action would you prefer;

1. A return to realpolitik, where the US does most of it's major foreign policy by passing a global test in the UN.

2. The pre-emptive doctrine where security issues may take precedence over global concerns.It's kind of a flawed poll, because both candidates have specifically stated that number 2 will be the primary rule, although number 1 will be the first step, in their administrations.

The "Bush Doctrine" does not mean "screw the UN, we do whatever we want" and the Kerry position is not "we won't do anything unless the UN says it's OK."

[ravital]

Short term - the "Bush Doctrine" all the way (if there is in fact anything as neat and tidy as a "doctrine" here). And that term may unfortunately last a few more years.

Long term - once this wonderful community of nations demonstrates it understands the stakes, by all means, engage in it. It's up to them, the real coalition of the bribed, pimped and foobar'ed, to re-earn our respect. We did pass the "global test" in flying colors, not our problem that they refused to grade it.

And we need to be mindful of the potential for far-reaching changes in this community. The Old Stalwarts may soon be replaced by fresh new faces, who won't necessarily support us blindly, but who are willing to be serious and understand the stakes (Poland and others in Eastern Europe, India, and Turkey come to mind). The Bush Doctrine, clumsy as it is, may well be a catalyst in shaping that community.

[Frodo Lives]

In the game Rome: Total War there is a quote that reads: The man who does not strike first is the first struck.

To wait until the bombs explode, for the bullets to pierce our bodies, for the gas to choke us....is wrong.

[Piobaireachd]

The UN should be dismantled and the property sold off for office space. At one time it had it's purpose, but it is now a corrupt and ineffective organization. The UN = Flaccid.


The US should never take orders from an outside organization such as the UN. We decide what is best for our country and not some corrupt politician from Uganda (or wherever).

[aedumo]

i think people fail to realize that we did indeed have a coalition. which i believe is what kerry means by global test. just because france and germany werent involved with that coalition, people refuse to believe that one existed. two couuntries approval hardly demonstrates a "global test". what kind of test is that?

[Fiona]

Ewwww. poor question.. can I have more choices?

:rolleyes:

[kingdome74]

We would have to presuppose that we ever allowed the UN to effect our foreign policy which has never been true. Would I like to see the UN more involved in world affairs? Yes but not if the "Oil For Food" program is going to be an example. Unfortunately the UN has become nothing more than a cash cow for a few thugs and dictators and every decision is based not on what right or what's good but rather what can be extracted and added to the bank account.