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The Nexus of Evil
Security and Democracy in Asia at the Center for Security Policy ^ | unknown | Robert T. McLean

Posted on 07/10/2009 4:50:43 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld

Fifteen years after the end of the Cold War, many remain surprised that a coalition of states has not formed to balance the power of the United States. Authors such as Randall L. Schweller of Ohio State University continue to offer theories towards explaining the supposed state of affairs and attribute much of the unbalance to domestic political factors that discourage the necessary efforts to ultimately challenge American primacy. But the last decade has witnessed something quite different as two powerful states have emerged to present the fist post-Cold War challenge to a United States centered unipolar world.

Both Russia and China have exceedingly different foreign policy aims than the United States, and domestic complexities inevitably have distanced Moscow and Beijing from Washington on a series of pressing international matters. The common aspiration to produce a multipolar world has driven Russia and China to effectively align against the United States incorporating a skilled approach of realpolitik that often results in support for actors that undermine the global security environment.

One must look no further than the present crisis with Iran to come to terms with the fact that Moscow and Beijing have been rather unhelpful in pressuring the world’s most nefarious regimes to behave in a more responsible manner. The unwillingness to apply sanctions or even mention the use of force only emboldens Tehran, giving the impression that serious negotiations are unnecessary because serious consequences will likely be avoided.

(Excerpt) Read more at globalpolitician.com ...


TOPICS: Extended News; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; Russia
KEYWORDS: china; northkorea; russia; venezuela; venezuelanorthkorea

1 posted on 07/10/2009 4:50:43 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld
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To: sonofstrangelove
re: coalition of states has not formed to balance the power of the United States

Despite the conventional wisdom in MSM there's not a lot of countries around the world who have any interest in balancing the power of the US. No state in its right mind wants to do away with Uncle Sugar Daddy. Where would the international 911 line ring if the US were gone? Who else has dozens of heavy cargo aircraft airborne and enroute to to a natural disaster?

Even the states that really hate us know deep down in their heart of hearts that the world would not be better off without the US. A few would gladly wring our neck if they could, but they don't have the ability to do so and we work pretty hard, pre-Obama, to keep them from getting it.

Despite the big talk about the Great Satan, etc. you have to look long and hard to find a country anywhere in history that has had so much power and used it for so much good.

Besides, if we go who will they have to kick around?

2 posted on 07/10/2009 4:59:38 PM PDT by jwparkerjr (God Bless America!)
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To: AmericanInTokyo; TigerLikesRooster; sonofstrangelove; mkjessup; Jet Jaguar; SevenofNine; Cindy; ...

Ping


3 posted on 07/10/2009 5:00:26 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld (A leader does not deserve the name unless he is willing occasionally to stand alone-Henry Kissinger)
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To: jwparkerjr

Good Synopsis!


4 posted on 07/10/2009 5:02:46 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld (A leader does not deserve the name unless he is willing occasionally to stand alone-Henry Kissinger)
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