Pax Americana?

In response to the article here...

This whole notion of a Pax Americana, I think, is a flawed one. Was the 20th century truly the American century? Hardly. 1/5 of the century was spent in isolationism, and half of it in direct competition with the Soviet Union in which the USA repeatedly failed to win in Korea, China and S.E. Asia. Ultimately influence in Iran would be lost as well. The whole of Asia minus some islands off the coast and, maybe, Pakistan, was outside the influence of the USA. Influence in Africa was hardly solidified and only half of Europe was ever, barely somewhat, in league with the USA. How exactly a century could be defined as American when 80 miles offshore, its archenemy is deploying nuclear warheads?

In short, there never was an American century. Calling the 20th century the American Century is like pushing the Pax Romana back 200 years to when Carthage was still around. There was a period of time from 1990-2010, 80 years short of a century, when America stood unopposed by any major power and this short period was more the product of the vacuum effect of the collapse of the Soviet Union. A vacuum being more suitably filled by the regional powers who's backyard it is in.

The rise of China and India, the competition of the EU and resurrection of Russia are a return to the normalcy of a competitive world. The 'American century' was a mere 20 year hiccup where the USA faced no real competition and these characteristics can not be applied across the span of the 20th century.

China in the footsteps of the Kaiser

I thought this was a fascinating read and generally I agree with Mr. Mead's conclusions.

"Is China the best friend of American power?

Beijing’s recent missteps in Asia — moving ahead with reactor sales to troubled Pakistan and crudely threatening Japan over the arrest of a Chinese fishing captain — are swiftly solidifying America’s Asian alliances. The new Japanese government came into office hoping to rebalance Japan’s foreign policy and reduce tensions with China. That dream is now dead. And China’s deepening relationship with Pakistan, intended in part as a counter to America’s nuclear opening to India, is driving Asia’s other emerging nuclear power closer than ever into the arms of America (and Japan). South Korea, once drifting peacefully toward China, has moved back towards the United States following China’s support for Pyongyang after the sinking of a South Korean naval boat.

In all this there is one clear theme. America isn’t containing China. China is containing itself. As China’s economy grows and its military develops new capacities, it is looking for ways to turn that potential power into actual power over events. In the past, China has tried to attract its neighbors into its orbit with sweeteners like trade deals and aid."

Read the rest here.

France and her colonies

The days of the French flag flying over foreign capitals and colored maps may be gone, but the old colonial empires linger on in a strange way. France launched a counter terrorism operation in Niger, a former colony, to rescue seven hostages from a group that calls itself Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb. While this is far from the military levels seen during France's wars of decolonization or the current American operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, it is none-the-less significant as it shows the continued policy of French military intervention in its former African colonies. Since 1960, there have been 46 French military operations in its former African colonies, and the former empire continues to maintain bases across its former colonies. How this recently sparked conflict will play out against Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb remains to be seen.

On the recent events in Niger.

On the impact of Turkey's Referendum

This article looks into the impact of Turkey's recently passed referendum to argue that true democracy has finally begun in Turkey in place of what the author refers to "Facade Democracy."

http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/columnists-221677-the-end-of-facade-democracy-in-turkey.html

Big changes for Turkey

The above video breaks down the newly accepted changes in Turkey's constitution.

Japanese-Chinese relations souring

And its all over Fishing boat. But often this little trivialities simple scratch the surface of deeper resentment and anxiety between two nations. According to the article, this is tied to Senkaku Islands dispute between Japan and China.

Read More.

Hezbollah South of the Border?

Well, that's what a certain Representative in Congress wants to know. Is Hezbollah operating in Mexico? She gives a line of evidence pointing to the possibility, such as Mexican Drug Cartels using car bombs and Hezbollah agents purchasing large amounts of drugs from FARC in Columbia, though nothing seems conclusive yet. The article is good food for thought because the War on Terror just might be getting a little too close to home.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/sep/1/hezbollah-car-bombs-on-our-border/