Jeopardy

Not the game, but national danger. Jeopardy of war with the unworthy. Upset international relationships for the sake of mixing it up. Diplomatic efforts swiftly upended for the dramatic effect, like a kids’ game. Emotional, illogical.


I’ve said it in this space before and I’ll say it again. The current occupant of the White House is a clear and present danger to our nation and to our allies, and to the common peace of the global community.


Our nation and its Foreign Service professionals have labored for decades to build a structure for peaceful relationships throughout the world. We have parried with some and succored others. We have paid large expenses and given away largesse. In the end, however, we have gained a calm and peaceful playing field. We have partners on that field, allies who know that we are a reliable partner to stick to common goals of peace.


And prosperity. Prosperity comes from calm and steadfast circumstances. Such context supports logical investment in new technology, products, services and transactions that are shared worldwide. Economic infrastructure is built from such contexts. Professions are built on this. New industries are built on this. Higher standards of living for all the participants are the result. People who invest time, talent and financial assets gain the results. Their partners do as well. The tide is shifted by such joint actions. It lifts all ships concurrently.


It can only be done through routine, reliable work with trusted partners. That takes concentration and diplomatic actions. Policies for the long view are needed. Reputations are built on this infrastructure of reason.


Without any of that, we are in jeopardy of anarchy in financial markets, in job markets, in standards of living, in values we hold dear, and in world peace.


It comes down to that. World peace.  


Naval fleets to loom over Iran is not peaceful. Drone attacks throughout the Middle East are not peaceful. Supporting nations who lob missiles and fly air raids over small, defenseless nations, is not peaceful. Insulting allies at every turn is not peaceful. Telling them to shape up and pay their share of military defenses without a plan is not peaceful. Jeering from afar at a South American neighbor is not peaceful.


All of this is destructive of peace. It is strutting the world stage for what end? What is the strategy? What is the end game? Silence is the answer to these questions.


Meanwhile, thousands of foreign affairs professionals have resigned and weakened our nation’s ability to work toward peace. The underpinnings of our hopes from the past 75 years are quickly dissipating. The danger grows.


Jeopardy is everywhere.


Our protection from this is where? Why haven’t they acted?


May 10, 2019