First, the strategy and success to date for America; Invasion and occupation of Iraq, Afghanistan and, potentially, the nuclear armed nation of Pakistan. On the horizon, potential conflicts with Iran, drone attacks in Yemen, and who knows where else. The degree of success? Well, hundreds of thousands of people of those nations under siege were displaced from their homes, had their cities destroyed, and became refugees; others were the victims of vicious attacks by drones. End result: A massive quagmire, turmoil, destruction, and death.
Now, the same measurement for China:
China has been very active in recent years in establishing relationships with nations all over the world, including Russia, Iran, Venezuela, Brazil and various nations in Central Asia and Africa. A new gas pipeline from Turkmenistan to Xinjiang is now operating. In 2009, Iraq and China signed a $3 billion contract to develop a large Iraqi oil field, the first major commercial oil contract Iraq has made with a foreign company since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion. The degree of success? Excellent results with more to come; no bullets, no bombs, no wars, no bloodshed, and significant additions of energy for China.
What in the world is going on here? Aren't we supposed to be the good guys that spread freedom and democracy around the world, the nation that people respect and admire, the bastion of justice and mercy? And aren't the Chinese those Communists who hate capitalism and freedoms, who want to force people into thinking only as they do? Well, we better think very deeply about those common perceptions because things are not always as they seem to be.
What is the long term prognosis, who is going to win this war to control these critical resources? Of course, at this point, we have no way of knowing for certain. But, based upon the strategies being pursued by each of these powers, and which strategy seems to represent the best example of intelligent, rational thinking, on which would you place your bet?
Sure, there is still hope that things can change for the better; that America can come to the realization that its current strategy is not working and will never work. Just one problem, though. Who exactly in America is going to make it happen?
Michael Payne
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
2
2
1
