The Dark Tower
Success in any endeavor requires operating from a correct situational assessment. Brent Scowcroft, former National Security Advisor, violates this simple axiom in his article "Getting the Middle East Back on Our Side" (NYT, 1/4/06).
When was the Middle East ever on our side? Getting them back is impossible, since it never was.
The administration and Mr. Scowcroft (read GHWB) must realize that the world has moved on, just as another gunslinger character, this one in the Stephen King "Dark Tower" series, recognizes. While the U.S. is concentrating its entire focus on a crummy sand country, the rest of the world is passing us by.
In the King series, the Gunslinger, who is on a quixotic quest for victory over the Dark Tower, recognizes the futility of his project even as he can not abandon it. "The world has moved on," is his weary recognition of his own superannuation, and inability to remake himself.
The Old Europe, derided by Rumsfeld, has in fact moved on, and is kicking our collective arse economically, and combat is not involved. Using their brains versus their brawn, they reinvest their assets into their own economies. This is the correct focus for a nation--tending to its citizenry and providing for self-defense. Mostly, the former, which is done through growing the economy, providing for humane public services, and not draining away assets on knocking over the next guy.
The EU Euro is the preferred currency for oil purchases, and if that doesn't work, than the Chinese will be there with ready cash. Can America equal the European or Chinese monetary power?
The U.S. can no longer wield the dollar as its most effective weapon. The oil-producing nations don't need us any more. They have Europe, China and India as ready, willing and able buyers for their product. These are cash sales. What can America offer the world besides pre-emptive invasions?
We've screwed the pooch, and we are too dumb to realize it.
When was the Middle East ever on our side? Getting them back is impossible, since it never was.
The administration and Mr. Scowcroft (read GHWB) must realize that the world has moved on, just as another gunslinger character, this one in the Stephen King "Dark Tower" series, recognizes. While the U.S. is concentrating its entire focus on a crummy sand country, the rest of the world is passing us by.
In the King series, the Gunslinger, who is on a quixotic quest for victory over the Dark Tower, recognizes the futility of his project even as he can not abandon it. "The world has moved on," is his weary recognition of his own superannuation, and inability to remake himself.
The Old Europe, derided by Rumsfeld, has in fact moved on, and is kicking our collective arse economically, and combat is not involved. Using their brains versus their brawn, they reinvest their assets into their own economies. This is the correct focus for a nation--tending to its citizenry and providing for self-defense. Mostly, the former, which is done through growing the economy, providing for humane public services, and not draining away assets on knocking over the next guy.
The EU Euro is the preferred currency for oil purchases, and if that doesn't work, than the Chinese will be there with ready cash. Can America equal the European or Chinese monetary power?
The U.S. can no longer wield the dollar as its most effective weapon. The oil-producing nations don't need us any more. They have Europe, China and India as ready, willing and able buyers for their product. These are cash sales. What can America offer the world besides pre-emptive invasions?
We've screwed the pooch, and we are too dumb to realize it.
posted by rangeragainstwar at 2:57 PM
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