Comments on: Equal Alliance, Unequal Roles

By: feeblemind

feeblemind — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 05:05:55 +0000

It is the very encroachment on Russian spheres of influence that makes the Russians uneasy. NATO must bear some of the responsiblity for the return of Russian militarism and rivalry.

By: Michael

Michael — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 00:15:53 +0000

I’m not sure two-tiered is the right word; it suggests that some tasks are less important than others, which isn’t true. Without Leviathan takedown or COIN, the opportunities for nation-building are limited. But without the nation-building, the COIN can’t succeed and the takedown just replaces one tyrant with another.

That said, there’s another approach I’ve debated on other sites. COIN and nation-building being relatively labor intensive activities, the willingness of countries with low birthrates to participate is limited. But Leviathan work isn’t so labor intensive anymore, and some of those countries retain the expertise they had to gain in that arena during the Cold War. To the extent we can share the burden of maintaining and using takedown abilities with our NATO and other allies, we can free our energies for COIN and nation-building and relieve the minds of those who worry about us having all that destructive power.

By: jim

jim — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 20:58:46 +0000

The Cold War prevented the normal state of history—a balance of power. It’s no surprise now that lesser powers (Europe) seek to weaken the United States. We were united due to the Red Menace and now that threat is weak. Jealousy and undermining for allies is to be expected and tolerated as long as it doesn’t get too overt.

The United States should, like all states, seek to advance it’s interests. I think the rise of China is showing us a world where those carping on the sidelines have even less influence. The United States actually cares what Europe thinks, China … not so much.

By: mihnea

mihnea — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 11:44:18 +0000

oh wait, that’s kaplan?? my bad. thought it was you :D

By: mihnea

mihnea — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 11:43:34 +0000

Have to say, while I agree with you on the matter of Romania and think you’re spot-on in your analysis, the idea that the US would in any way lean towards more soft-power and alliance-building seems a bit far-fetched.

By: IJ

IJ — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 10:34:33 +0000

Much of the world wants the United States to retreat from its attempts at “overbearing dominance”, according to Pew Research findings. Strengthen the United Nations system.

In 2007 surveys found that allies had become more critical of US foreign policy; majorities thought that UN approval was necessary before using force against an international threat. Most Americans however disagreed, even after the experience of Iraq. And the image of the US among the publics of Muslim countries is “abysmal”.