[lit-ideas] Re: Dark Thoughts on Iraq

Thursday, September 29, 2005, 6:38:05 PM, Eric Yost wrote:

EY> Judy: you think "Vichy Europe" isn't a nasty little insinuation?

EY> Eric: It was stronger than I intended it to be. But maybe it would
EY> qualify it somewhat if I stated that I oppose the idea of the USA 
EY> operating forward bases all around the world and maintaining a Pax
EY> America through CINC Roman-style Proconsuls.

Ah.  I misunderstood you totally (I thought you were suggesting -- as
some people do -- that "Europe" was collaborating with "Islamism"; I
thought "fortress US" was posed as a response to that).  My apologies.

EY> I would like to see some return to the older notion of "spheres of
EY> influence," where Europe plays a larger role in securing its 
EY> periphery.

So, I rather think, would many here.  But I don't want to see an
old-style isolationist US.   (Also I'd like to draw a distinction
between securing a periphery and invading countries to kick butt [W,
post 9/11].]


EY>  While the Iran-nuke case shows some movement in that 
EY> direction, it's still a highly unbalanced situation.

I agree.

EY> It's a lose-lose game for the Americans: we get trashed as "world 
EY> policemen" when we step in to take care of something like Kosovo or
EY> Iraq, but on the other hand, nobody else has the capacity or 
EY> political will to take over.

"Step in to take care of" isn't quite how I'd put it.  (Nor I think is
"police" appropriate.) Anyway, look, no-one made the US do this.

EY> If the major nations all assumed responsibility for their spheres of
EY> influence, it might make the UN a more credible force as well, 
EY> especially in dealing with sudden genocides like that in Rwanda.

Perhaps.  I'm not sure the US is prepared to let other nations do what
they think appropriate (cf Iraq)

(I am still puzzled by your "armed minority" point but perhaps that's
just me.)



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