US hedging strategy just another congagement
Yesterday in the WSJ, an article talked about the current hedging strategy in place towards China. The hedging is in essence a combination engagement and containment strategy. Even though the U.S. will continue cultural, business, scientific and diplomatic relations, it will at the same time focus on military build up to 'ensure that China doesn't rise too fast'.That got me thinking.
Currently, we have one super power in essence dictating foreign policies for the most part. Iran is messing things up a bit by providing an alternative source of legitimacy and finances for Hamas but other than that, the U.S. is 'it'.I am assuming that most reasonable people can see that this is not a healthy situation. We already have the Iraq war to show how unilaterally (well, not 'officially' but with some arm twisting in the back by the US/UK alliance) a super power can decide to take up arms even in the light of internationally disagreement (never mind international law). At home, more and more people are worried about the federal government (especially the Bush administration but some see patterns in Clinton's as well) taking away too many freedoms and infringing on people's rights.
Is it a wonder that Iran is concerned about the United States and wants to seek nuclear ability to be able to do their own containment? The United States wants to be the only kid on the block. It is so used to thinking that everyone else who has power will be (eventually) be a threat that it looks at the world as those who are friendlies (read, willing to be economically profitable) and those who are not. Anyone who is concerned about America's aggressive stance is automatically framed as a threat that is readying to take over, rather than someone who's considering containment by way of military acquisition.
China in essence, in my opinion anyway, does not seem to have a motive for wanting to have super power abilities a la US. It is trying to cope with domestic issues, their need for energy to provide for their growing economy and they don't have a motivating factor like spreading communism (even as admitted by the Bush administration) or spreading the word of Buda. (luckily, in buddhism there is no call to arms ever correct me if I am wrong)
Hedging is just another tomayto-tomahto. The colour is still red and it signifies not stop, but go, like a bull going forward towards a singular target. The target in my view; economic dominance by the United States.
Again, is it any wonder other countries want to hedge a way around themselves?
Currently, we have one super power in essence dictating foreign policies for the most part. Iran is messing things up a bit by providing an alternative source of legitimacy and finances for Hamas but other than that, the U.S. is 'it'.I am assuming that most reasonable people can see that this is not a healthy situation. We already have the Iraq war to show how unilaterally (well, not 'officially' but with some arm twisting in the back by the US/UK alliance) a super power can decide to take up arms even in the light of internationally disagreement (never mind international law). At home, more and more people are worried about the federal government (especially the Bush administration but some see patterns in Clinton's as well) taking away too many freedoms and infringing on people's rights.
Is it a wonder that Iran is concerned about the United States and wants to seek nuclear ability to be able to do their own containment? The United States wants to be the only kid on the block. It is so used to thinking that everyone else who has power will be (eventually) be a threat that it looks at the world as those who are friendlies (read, willing to be economically profitable) and those who are not. Anyone who is concerned about America's aggressive stance is automatically framed as a threat that is readying to take over, rather than someone who's considering containment by way of military acquisition.
China in essence, in my opinion anyway, does not seem to have a motive for wanting to have super power abilities a la US. It is trying to cope with domestic issues, their need for energy to provide for their growing economy and they don't have a motivating factor like spreading communism (even as admitted by the Bush administration) or spreading the word of Buda. (luckily, in buddhism there is no call to arms ever correct me if I am wrong)
Hedging is just another tomayto-tomahto. The colour is still red and it signifies not stop, but go, like a bull going forward towards a singular target. The target in my view; economic dominance by the United States.
Again, is it any wonder other countries want to hedge a way around themselves?
posted by Ingrid at
9:15 AM
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