'American values matter only if Americans live up to them at home. .. An America that declares its independence from the responsibility to solve other people’s problems must ask allies to do more in exchange for continued US investment in global public goods. NATO can survive only if other members bear more of its costs and risks. Let Europe manage relations with Russia as it chooses. Cut a deal with Iran that reduces US involvement in the region’s conflicts. Recognize that decisions made in Beijing, not in Washington, will determine whether China sinks or swims. Most importantly, invest the savings to build a secure, dynamic, and prosperous America that others want to emulate.'Moneyball America (20%)..
..balance traditional ties with Gulf Arabs with a more pragmatic relationship with Iran, a country and market that offer America future opportunities that others in the region can’t match. Share technology and information with allies, but let them assume greater responsibility for their own security..
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Independent America (80%)American values matter only if Americans live up to them at home. Washington can’t bribe, bully, or blackmail China (or other authoritarian states) into an embrace of liberal free-market democracy. Americans don’t have that kind of power. US allies and enemies know this, and both are banking on a more multipolar world—and a more balanced global economy. Many Americans now accept that a stronger will, deeper insight, and deeper pockets will not help Washington reshape the world as it would like. No nation, not even the sole superpower, can consistently get what it wants in a world where so many other governments can shrug off US pressure.
Those who advocate independent America recognize that all those global challenges are far more dangerous and damaging for other countries than they are at home. Terrorism is a much greater threat for the Middle East, Europe, and Russia than for the United States. The conflict in Ukraine has little bearing on US security or prosperity. Instability in energy-producing countries is less relevant for increasingly energy-rich America than at any time since the 1960s. China’s expansion matters far more for China’s neighbors than for the United States. In fact, a more volatile world highlights the strength, stability, and resilience of US markets.
America must lead, but mainly by example. Its tremendous resource, demographic, and technological advantages—and the advantage of its position between Mexico, Canada, and two vast oceans—will be enhanced by committed investment in the nation’s crumbling infrastructure: bridges, railways (clearly), highways, ports, and schools. Leading by example also means open borders, welcoming more of the world’s growing number of refugees, and more trade.
An America that declares its independence from the responsibility to solve other people’s problems must ask allies to do more in exchange for continued US investment in global public goods. NATO can survive only if other members bear more of its costs and risks. Let Europe manage relations with Russia as it chooses. Cut a deal with Iran that reduces US involvement in the region’s conflicts. Recognize that decisions made in Beijing, not in Washington, will determine whether China sinks or swims. Most importantly, invest the savings to build a secure, dynamic, and prosperous America that others want to emulate.'
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Superpower, May 20, 2015
Context'..[increase] transatlantic and European cooperation .. collaborate and cooperate further ..ensure open competition..''..Cutting the Defense Budget and Reconfiguring the U.S. Military.'(Peace) - '..defence forces in nations .. make the .. transformation to non-lethal defence..''..pursue these goals together with NATO..' - Boryduzha'..Are Bush, Cheney, and Rumsfeld any less of war criminals than Hussein?'(Ukraine) - 'We needed 40 years to overcome East Germany .. be prepared for the long haul..' - Angela Merkel'The people of the Middle-East need to redraw the map themselves..'..Allowing U.S. Crude Oil Exports.' - '..Canada and the US – could be global leaders in future [energy] supply developments..'