Hot Spots

While we dither in internal politics and ideologies, let us spot the international problem areas for America. What is being done with each of these?

Russia: long an avowed enemy of America. They see us as having hegemony over the world. Too much influence in the affairs of other nations. They believe the USA receives more from this than is our due. Russia labors to even the balance of power among nations. They want much more for themselves and much less for others. They have proven treacherous as an ally. Only when they demonstrably receive more from an agreement with America does Russia agree to it; and then for only the term that goodies are received. At any time, they will disavow the pact if it is in their interests to do so. Or simply feign misunderstanding of terms.

China: they have been a huge influence over all of world history. They have had few years of major power, however. They have tried to erase that history. They are building a much larger and healthier social order than it has in the past. Their military might, however, is growing much larger and faster than their economic system. They want hegemony in the China Sea, a long defined international waters arena. They are preparing for battle. They are building ‘islands' in the China Sea; they are weaponizing those islands. They are re-defining international shipping and military maneuvers by other nations obsolete; they are banning them outright. And their naval and air force powers are displayed to punctuate their words. Meanwhile, they run rampant over trade laws, copywrite protections and other long-held trading agreements throughout history. They are not to be trifled with.  They also do not adhere scrupulously to international agreements unless such are clearly in their best interests. Very little give and take.

Middle East: who could possibly think that America holds much sway in this region? We once did. Diplomacy, trade, education, enormous aid packages and all the rest were traded for ready access to world oil supplies. Governments in the region have mostly lined their own personal pockets rather than share with their citizens. The imbalance of have and have-nots is clearly on view. Unsettled politics result and civil strife and war is the painful reality for civilians.

South America: treated as a fourth and often forgotten economic zone, South America has experienced ups and downs of economic and military power. Tyrants, dictators and democracies have frequently battled one another. The poor and uneducated become continual pawns in this climate. Yet we ignore the mighty societies of South America in favor of focusing time, talent and treasure on the Middle East and Russia/China axis. When will we learn the lesson that our own backyard is more important than those living across the street? The tide is shifting to the south. Will we become alert to this in time?

Mexico: long a friend of America, we have militarized an otherwise friendly border with a neighbor. Building fences does not always yield good neighbors. It often incites troubles far larger than we can manage. What should be a humanitarian and diplomatic issue is turned into human suffering, economic redress and ugly militarization and police action. We need to treat our next door neighbors with open minds and generosity.

Central America: a coterie of nations struggling to maintain their cultures and history. Economic problems overtask their governments and civil unrest resulted. Broad criminal activity rages in most of these nations. Drug cartels have become the bulk of government. And we wonder why their citizens escape to come to America? They seek life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness that eludes them in their own countries. They are powerless to do otherwise. And yet we do not help. We insult and blockade their dreams. Where is the soul of America?

Europe: Brexit and the European Community: these valued allies of history, soul and bloody wars, are being reviled, insulted and pushed away from our international family. And all for what? Economics? It certainly is not for international power and military might. No, those issues faded away long ago. Then why are we at war with our European cousins? Good question in need of a sensible answer. And quickly.

NATO: a powerful treaty that has maintained world peace for generations. Proven and skilled from practical experience of two horrendous wars. It once was heralded as proof that man can learn from his past; today that lesson has faded and is threatened with dissolution. And why and for what? A mean little mind that doesn’t understand the basics of human history? Economic power brokers who feel they aren’t gaining enough return on investment? Is this what history leads to?

Yes, while these hot spots glow red hot our government reduces its foreign affairs teams, dumbs down its State Department, Defense Department and a host of other cabinet departments that are central to our success at home and abroad. But clueless people are in charge of our government. And we will reap the results of such idiocy. This is what we get when poorly trained and undereducated people rise to the top of government circles.

They know not what they do. Last time this happened, all Hell broke loose.

January 17, 2019