Stepping Aside From The United States
Thomas Dawson
July 25, 2005
After the 9/11 attacks, President Bush seemed to be doing all the right things. Little did we realize what a turning point in history, this would be for the United States. He enjoined the European countries in a “War against Terror”; indeed even some of the Asian and mid-east countries were offering support to vanquish the terrorists behind this attack.
Then there was Iraq. There are several theories as to the reason for the Iraq invasion. The dominant theory is that a group of neo-conservatives within the Bush Administration, having visions of empire, were able to (easily) convince the President that he should begin the democratization of the world with the mid-eastern Islamic countries. Iraq should not be difficult, as the government was of a secular nature anyway. When everyone saw how wonderful democracy was, there would be revolutions in the other Islamic countries and the mid-east would soon become democratized. Another, immediate benefit, would be to have a friendly (occupied) government sitting on the second largest oil reserves in the world. This was to be a first step in a plan to intimidate and eventually globalize the world into a democratic and neo-liberal economic mold. The neo-conservatives of the Bush Administration are still obsessed by these two major objectives.
Most of the world never bought the idea of any immediate threat from Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). With few exceptions, none of our allies would go along with this war. Tony Blair brought the British into this war mainly out of continuing political disagreements with the (Franco-German) powers of the European Union. The citizenry of the UK was always against the Iraqi War.
There has been waning enthusiasm for this war by the American citizens, as the reasoning behind the Iraq Invasion has been exposed. As time has passed, the world has come to see that the United States is unable to organize a strategy to secure Iraq. For these, and other reasons, there is a general disapproval of our desire for power around the world, and many countries are beginning to rethink their relations with the United States.
Not long ago, nearly every country in the world was anxious to maintain a close relationship with the United States. Now, they are more inclined to cultivate relationships elsewhere, especially with their neighbors. Certainly, most countries would like to maintain friendly relations with the United States for economic reasons, but now they will no longer put US interests before their own.
Within the European Union, the Franco-German influence is without support and nearly dead already. With Blair also leaving, the British will soon be re-established into the European community.
The Asian countries, not being democracies, quickly began to band together in a kind of “neighborhood watch” following the invasion of Iraq. An association started in 1996, known as the Shanghai Cooperative Organization (SCO) was re-organized into a mutual defense organization along the lines of NATO. Both China and Russia provided Iran with missals and other armament to protect Iran from an American invasion.
Russia, China, and Central Asia will have common interests for years to come. Southern Asia, except for India is economically dependent on China. India has excellent relations with nearly everyone except Pakistan. Currently Pakistan and India would appear to have good relations on a governmental level, although cultural differences are exasperating and probably beyond repair.
The United States views Asia and especially China as a potential threat and is openly courting India as a buffer, and hopefully as a potential ally in the containment of the Chinese influence in the region. India is delighted to get this attention and is able to do as she pleases without recourse or sanctions from the United States. We are also trying to stir Japan to take her “rightful place” as a world power. This means that we would like for Japan to again become a substantial military power. This would provide us with a strong buffer zone on China’s eastern coast.
In South America, a trade organization known as Mercosur has been formed as an alternative to the Free Trade Area sponsored by the United States. Originally it consisted of Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, and Paraguay. Other South American countries have since entered into relations with the organization. Brasilia has grown to become the dominant economic power in South America, and it also operates outside the “free trade” model of the United States. Most of the South American countries are pursuing economic relations with Asia and Europe; fearing the destructive corporate prowess of the United States.
A few short years ago, the United States enjoyed a dominant position in the world and was greatly admired and respected. She has since lost this admiration and respect. In this nuclear world, mere military dominance is no longer able to easily control the course of events. Bullies are neither trusted nor respected. It will take a while for us to gain our respect back and even longer to regain the trust necessary for cooperation from much of the world.
Then there was Iraq. There are several theories as to the reason for the Iraq invasion. The dominant theory is that a group of neo-conservatives within the Bush Administration, having visions of empire, were able to (easily) convince the President that he should begin the democratization of the world with the mid-eastern Islamic countries. Iraq should not be difficult, as the government was of a secular nature anyway. When everyone saw how wonderful democracy was, there would be revolutions in the other Islamic countries and the mid-east would soon become democratized. Another, immediate benefit, would be to have a friendly (occupied) government sitting on the second largest oil reserves in the world. This was to be a first step in a plan to intimidate and eventually globalize the world into a democratic and neo-liberal economic mold. The neo-conservatives of the Bush Administration are still obsessed by these two major objectives.
Most of the world never bought the idea of any immediate threat from Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). With few exceptions, none of our allies would go along with this war. Tony Blair brought the British into this war mainly out of continuing political disagreements with the (Franco-German) powers of the European Union. The citizenry of the UK was always against the Iraqi War.
There has been waning enthusiasm for this war by the American citizens, as the reasoning behind the Iraq Invasion has been exposed. As time has passed, the world has come to see that the United States is unable to organize a strategy to secure Iraq. For these, and other reasons, there is a general disapproval of our desire for power around the world, and many countries are beginning to rethink their relations with the United States.
Not long ago, nearly every country in the world was anxious to maintain a close relationship with the United States. Now, they are more inclined to cultivate relationships elsewhere, especially with their neighbors. Certainly, most countries would like to maintain friendly relations with the United States for economic reasons, but now they will no longer put US interests before their own.
Within the European Union, the Franco-German influence is without support and nearly dead already. With Blair also leaving, the British will soon be re-established into the European community.
The Asian countries, not being democracies, quickly began to band together in a kind of “neighborhood watch” following the invasion of Iraq. An association started in 1996, known as the Shanghai Cooperative Organization (SCO) was re-organized into a mutual defense organization along the lines of NATO. Both China and Russia provided Iran with missals and other armament to protect Iran from an American invasion.
Russia, China, and Central Asia will have common interests for years to come. Southern Asia, except for India is economically dependent on China. India has excellent relations with nearly everyone except Pakistan. Currently Pakistan and India would appear to have good relations on a governmental level, although cultural differences are exasperating and probably beyond repair.
The United States views Asia and especially China as a potential threat and is openly courting India as a buffer, and hopefully as a potential ally in the containment of the Chinese influence in the region. India is delighted to get this attention and is able to do as she pleases without recourse or sanctions from the United States. We are also trying to stir Japan to take her “rightful place” as a world power. This means that we would like for Japan to again become a substantial military power. This would provide us with a strong buffer zone on China’s eastern coast.
In South America, a trade organization known as Mercosur has been formed as an alternative to the Free Trade Area sponsored by the United States. Originally it consisted of Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, and Paraguay. Other South American countries have since entered into relations with the organization. Brasilia has grown to become the dominant economic power in South America, and it also operates outside the “free trade” model of the United States. Most of the South American countries are pursuing economic relations with Asia and Europe; fearing the destructive corporate prowess of the United States.
A few short years ago, the United States enjoyed a dominant position in the world and was greatly admired and respected. She has since lost this admiration and respect. In this nuclear world, mere military dominance is no longer able to easily control the course of events. Bullies are neither trusted nor respected. It will take a while for us to gain our respect back and even longer to regain the trust necessary for cooperation from much of the world.
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