August 16, 2008 at 10:40:31

Calling the Bluff on the Limits of American Power and Influence

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By Ron Fullwood (about the author) Page 3 of 3 page(s)

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The only way to achieve and maintain the necessary diplomatic relationships to successfully influence Russia's behavior is for the U.S. to return to a level of moral authority it had when we first began to draw Russia in, and that Bush has squandered with his opportunistic militarism. The only way to regain that authority is to affirm the most basic element of the democracy we pretend to support and defend abroad; the integrity of sovereign borders.

The first affirmation of that understanding of that moral authority will be the ending of the Iraq occupation. Without taking that initiative, it will be impossible for those we intend to lecture about respect for border integrity or sovereign authority to take us seriously.

Next, we will need to move to repair and rebuild those international relationships which have grown defensive and tepid in the face of Bush's unbridled aggression and ambition abroad. The world needs to be convinced that our nation does not so covet their land or their resources that we're willing to allow or support another bloody coup.

Finally, we need to re-order and prioritize our ambitions abroad to reflect our new, responsible, cooperative posture. Only then can we hope that any of our admonitions about restraint, cooperation, or peace and disarmament are heard.

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Ron Fullwood, is an activist from Columbia, Md. and the author of the book 'Power of Mischief' : Military Industry Executives are Making Bush Policy and the Country is Paying the Price

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