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April 28, 2008
Iraq War Increases American Stature in Asia
Despite all the ankle-biting from moonbats who claim the world hates us for picking on poor little terror-supporting genocidal dictator Saddam Hussein, America's resolve in Iraq has increased our stature in Asia:
The US war in Iraq has strengthened its strategic position, especially in terms of key alliances, and the only way this could be reversed would be if it lost the will to continue the struggle and abandoned Iraq in defeat and disarray.
Surely the author of this sentence is on the ganja, you might say. Something a little weird in the coffee? It goes against every aspect of conventional wisdom.
But the author of this thesis, stated only marginally less boldly, is one of the US's most brilliant strategic analysts. Mike Green holds the Japan chair at Washington's Centre for Strategic and International Studies and was for several years the Asia director at the National Security Council. He is also one of America's foremost experts on Japan and northeast Asia generally.
Regardless of whether going into Iraq was wise given hindsight, it demonstrated resolve, courage, and the will to follow through on commitments — traits that are still respected in some corners of the world.
It's easier to lose respect than it is to earn it. If someone irresponsible enough to turn tail and run from Iraq ends up in the White House, we really will be in for some disdain.
Hat tip: Burning Hot.
Posted by Van Helsing at April 28, 2008 12:47 PM
Comments
Meaning no disrespect whatsoever to the country or its people, Japan's attitude is neither here nor there. As far as Japan is concerned, a basic respect to them and show of cooperation whenever possible is sufficient for good relations, or as good as we need. Japan isn't minded to lift a finger (not seriously) in Iraq, or anywhere else.
China is the country to whom we need to show resolve and staying power. They are happy to plant spies here and wait 20 years for those people to get into positions of interest. China understands the long view.
I'm sure concern about China is behind Bush's seemingly bizarre interest in what's good for Columbia over what's good for America. China is trying very hard to establish a foothold in South America, as they are in Africa. My prediction is that, notwithstanding their arrogance (most likely because of it), China will have exactly as much success colonizing Africa and South America as everyone else has had. Let them expend their blood and treasure there, and see how far they get. Africa and SA will cynically use them, suck them dry, and throw them out, as they've done to every other country. I don't fear China's impending hegemony in SA, and IMO, it's a huge mistake to suck America into NAFTA to circumvent it. Let's try the small picture for awhile, and do what's good for the US and it's people.
Posted by: avalon at April 28, 2008 3:17 PM
Sorry, not "...it's people". And I don't mean to say that we should turn in on ourselves and pull out of Iraq, either. I got sidetracked on China. I agree pulling out now sends a negative message.
Regarding having someone in the White House who will "turn tail" in Iraq: I have a feeling that our troops would barely have their boots off before they'd be on their way to Darfur, or Kenya, or someplace else where we have such obvious strategic interests (rolls eyes). Libs are not against deploying military might, as long as they get to say where it goes, and as long as its use has nothing whatsoever to do with the strategic interests of the US.
Posted by: avalon at April 28, 2008 6:09 PM
Meaning no disrespect whatsoever to the country or its people, Iran's attitude is neither here nor there. As far as Iran is concerned, a basic respect to them and show of cooperation whenever possible is sufficient for good relations, or as good as we need. Iran isn't minded to lift a finger (not seriously) in Iraq, or anywhere else.
America is the country to whom we need to show resolve and staying power. They are happy to plant spies here and wait 20 years for those people to get into positions of interest. America understands the long view.
I'm sure concern about America is behind Hu Jintao's seemingly bizarre interest in what's good for Iraq over what's good for China. America is trying very hard to establish a foothold in South America, as they are in Iraq. My prediction is that, notwithstanding their arrogance (most likely because of it), America will have exactly as much success colonizing Iraq and South America as everyone else has had. Let them expend their blood and treasure there, and see how far they get. Iraq and SA will cynically use them, suck them dry, and throw them out, as they've done to every other country. I don't fear America's impending hegemony in SA, and IMO, it's a huge mistake to suck China into trying to circumvent it. Let's try the small picture for awhile, and do what's good for the China and it's people.
Posted by: Minister of Propoganda at April 28, 2008 6:26 PM
Ah, relativism. Except for the facts that Japan isn’t an Islamic dictatorship with nuclear designs on any country, the number of Americans allowed to work in sensitive Chinese weapons manufacturing plants, government offices, military sites, etc. could be easily counted on no hands, China has zero intention of allowing immigration by any of the people from any of the countries it attempts to influence, and Iraq cries every time America make leaving noises, rather than throwing us out (too bad we can’t say the same for China in Tibet), you’re exactly right.
Learn something new every day, though. I didn’t know the New American Media even read Moonbattery.
Posted by: avalon at April 29, 2008 10:57 AM
Gee, a libtard took a logical and well thought out post and turned it into a bunch of BS. Nice job there Mr. Minister of Propoganda! We now know why you have that title! LOL!!!!
Posted by: HoosierArmyMom at April 29, 2008 3:12 PM
