The Obama Years- A GOP love story

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by Giantone

Ok ,then what is it the you think should be done ?

As CRed has stated, first and foremost, acknowledge that the majority of the world does not believe western liberal democracy (again, little l, little d) is the be all and end all of governmental forms. In the trade off between individual freedom and security, the majority of nation-states choose security. Only western European countries and those govts. established or nurtured by them (Japan for example) have bought into the US/European ideal.

Once this is acknowledged, stop playing nice and stop playing policeman. Clearly state our policy interests and, essentially, play the game of real-politik that China and Russia are now doing. In addition to our overwhelming military might, we have considerable economic strength through diverse and global economic alliances and, with it, we can, and should, act to protect our economic interests and partners. Our military should be engaged only to the extent it clearly benefits these economic and national security interests.

Primary among those interests should be the limitation of Putin's attempts to undermine the Ukraine and through the Russian sponsored attacks on that country, undermine our relationship with Germany, the fundamentally strongest and best European partner we have (Where does the majority of Germany's gas come from - hint, from a pipeline running through a country that begins with U and ending in a country that begins with an R). Provide air support wtihin the Ukraine with a promise that any fire upon US planes from outside Ukrainian borders will be returned with overwhelming force (so, Mr. Putin, better make sure none of your tanks are near rebel forces firing at US planes from within your borders).

As to China, publicly reaffirm our alliances with Japan and Taiwan. Park a carrier group or two in their territorial waters and let the Chinese bitch. Then, impose a prohibitive tariff on all Chinese imports until and unless they unpeg the yuan.

In essence, make it clear we are no longer the world's policeman but will, instead, use both our military and economic might to protect clearly defined policy goals. Regardless of what the actual policies may be, clarity and consistency are incredibly important. If you disagree with my proposed policies on China and Russia, fine. I am not wedded to either. Whatever our policy is, however, our line in the sand and the penalty for crossing it must be clear. Lacking the recognition that a line must be drawn and that it must be clear invites the destructive misunderstandings that triggered WWI one hundred years ago.