Foreign Relations

The 20^th century was unsettled yet promising. Two world wars, several international wars/skirmishes/whatever. Maturity of the global village occurred. Not a rousing success, but a partial one. Much more needs doing. Trouble is, the relationships among the nations of the world are not cohesive or focused on the same outcomes. The unsettledness creates room for more wars and civilian deaths.


Professional experts in foreign affairs are supposed to focus on how nations get along with one another. That work is never done. We need these pros now, more than ever, and the job requires major re-evaluations, definitions, and assessments of needed resources.


A problem is the autocratic or dictatorial societies that have gained more clarity and assets in the past 40 years. These include China, Russia, Hungary, Philippines, the Middle East and parts of South America and Africa. Let us not forget Burma/Myanmar and other East Asian nations, too. The big players no longer need succor from the USA. Cooperation, yes; but not endless financial gifts and aid. We can no longer buy our way to cooperation from who we see as needed allies and partners.


Another problem is the influence of religions in political matters. These are cultural matters and natural components of any society. Trouble is religion makes good fodder for manipulators and propagandists. It is argued that more people have died because of religion than wars. I believe it. Picture the Crusades and the nonsense reasoning behind it. The battle between Christians and Muslims is yet another horror in Eastern Europe, East Asia and the Middle East.  God’s love is not supposed to be the cause of death!


Dealing with nations – relations among two or three, or more – is hard business. Now add to it the complication of tribalism within each of those nations. Propagandists love to divide and conquer from within, but today, they stir up trouble in one nation after another and hope to gain advantages at the bargaining table. That’s if anyone actually makes it to the bargaining table.


Clearly a lot of work needs to be done in the international sector. America is one of the players, not THE player. And it is not the only player with resources to share with others to make good things happen for the health and happiness of the world community.


There are those who believe the global community is not our concern. It is; because we are part of that community. All communities require its inhabitants to take responsibility for its own health and future, So, too, entire nations.


Therefore, we need trained, expert, intelligent professionals in our foreign service apparatus. I’m not including the CIA or any of the other intelligence agencies in this mix. I’m talking about the ambassadors, attaches and other staff who talk with other nations, transact delicate negotiations, and basically help our nation get along with others all over the globe. Each and every day.


Second, we need to get our own house in order. We are one people comprised of many interest groups, nationalities, cultures, cuisines, religions and mindsets. We can get along if we remember just this one thing: Do Unto the Other Person the Way you Want them to Do Unto You. Sound familiar? It should.


Each of us has much in common with others. Not our self-selected groups similar to ourselves, but people across the board. We all want food, shelter, clothing, future, respect, love and companionship. Each of us. All of us. So, what’s the problem?  Are your insecurities driving you to lust after what someone else has that you want? Tough. What is important is how you feel and act toward the other person. That will help them act and feel toward you in a positive manner.


One plus one equals two. Sometimes a fractal is magically added and we arrive at four. But hey, that’s the reward we earn from doing the hard work right from the start.


I think it is time America got back to doing the right thing by others and carrying a proportionate share of the load for peace and prosperity. For the sake of the global community, and our own!


August 29, 2019