World Peace, Iran, North Korea, Nuclear ambition, Palestine and Israel, Saudi Arabia
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Monday March 22, 2010
Today’s Zinger:
In Politics, It's Not How You Play The Game, It's Whether You Win Or Lose.
Everyone else is writing about and commentating on the passage of the health care insurance reform bill. I've decided to let it rest and will turn my attention to world peace. While the United States Congresspeople have been enduring the health care waterboarding, there have been some significant developments throughout the world which will have big implications for the United States.
North Korea and Iran were labeled by President George W. Bush as members of the axis of evil. These rogue states rely on threats and intimidation to achieve their political goals. Their nuclear ambitions kept them in the spotlight while normally countries like these would go unnoticed. President Obama has tried a different tact to gain better relationship with North Korea and Iran. He has reached out in a tone of reconciliation only to receive their clenched fist in return.
President Obama has also reached out to Palestine. In an effort to renew peace talks in the Middle East, President Obama has attempted to be even handed with Israel and Palestine. In the process, Israel has furthered their settlements and Palestine has responded with missile attacks on Gaza while Vice President Biden reprimanded Israel for their planned expansion. No peace is in sight.
Zinger looks at the real threats to peace and it might just be us.
Who Said It?
The Discussion:
President Obama has tried to enlist the help of other nations (as GW Bush had done) in an attempt to apply pressure on North Korea (through China), Iran (through Russia and China) and Palestine (though Syria, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia). In each case, these nations failed to step up the pressure to encourage North Korea and Iran to give up their nuclear ambitions and the Palestinians and Israelis to seek a peace accord with security for both nations. President Obama has even restructured Europe’s missiles to satisfy the Soviet Union only to have the Soviet Union announce that they will be activating Iran’s nuclear reactor later this year.
It seems that these countries (Iran, Palestine, North Korea and Israel) are not interested in peace. Or is it that the peace partners are not interest in peace? Could it be that China, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Syria get benefit from the unstable environment? Could it be that the lack of progress in these areas, combined with the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan keep the United States off balance and in a weakened position?
President Obama has gone out of his way to engage China, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Syria in a different way, but the United States in a weakened position is easier to contain and bargain with. It has been learned that Russia tried to convince China to sell US Dollars and securities in an effort to further weaken the United States.
Japan is now flexing its muscle against US presence and policy. China is using its strength to achieve its goal of isolating Tibet and reacquiring Taiwan. Russia is still seething over the loss of the Soviet Union and their political power base in the region. A weakened United States will not be able to respond to Russia’s advances against Georgia as they claim control of more oil and gas pipelines that feed Europe, a key bargaining chip in their long-term growth strategy. Saudi Arabia likes the United States in a weakened position so they have more control over their oil and their way of life. Obviously, Iran likes a weakened United States to allow them to broaden their influence and keep Israel muted. North Korea likes a weakened United States as it permits them to further blackmail for desperately needed money and resources. Europe likes a weakened United States as it provides greater independence. Even Israel benefits from a weakened but cooperative United States.
The Conclusion:
As we look to North Korea, Palestine and Iran as potential enemies of peace, maybe we should instead look to China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Europe and even Israel as the real enemies of peace. If so, doesn't that put greater emphasis on rebuilding the American economy since our economy has long been a source of international strength.
If so, what does that mean for our foreign policy? We are no longer fighting the cold war, we are now fighting the cold shoulder war.
Who Said It:
"The government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it."
Ronald Reagan
Health Care Experiments and Pilots Are Parking Lots Of Political Decisions
Confessions of an Academic: Obama's Advisors.
America's Health Care, Universal Health Care
The President's State Of The Union Speech
Supreme Court Rules On Corporate Political Advertising
A Republican In A Democrat's Seat. Brown In Kennedy's Seat.
How Parenting Style Shows Up In International Politics. Non-Verbal Communications.
The Role Of Government: Provider or Enabler?
The Corruption Of Health Care Legislation
Inflation Is Coming, Inflation is Coming. Inflation And The Deficit
The Administrations Decision Process For Afghanistan
President Obama's Job Fair and Search for Jobs
President Obama's Afghanistan Strategy and Speech
Shameless Request For Support:
ZingerKing operates without advertising or government funding (obviously). The purpose is to inform and educate its readers about economic and political issues that affect our lives.
Help ZingerKing grow. Have you Zinged someone lately? Please forward a link to ZingerKing to a friend, family member or neighbor. If you enjoy reading the Zinger please subscribe (see the subscribe box at the top of the article in the purple side band). Subscribers receive the "Morning Briefing" when published with a link to the full article. Periodic alerts are sent to subscribers only with important updates and insights into critical issues. Your email address will not sold to others and will not be shared.
Write To Us:
You can comment on any article by clicking on the comment button at the bottom of each article or you can write to us at ZK@ZingerKing.com
Monday March 22, 2010
Today’s Zinger:
In Politics, It's Not How You Play The Game, It's Whether You Win Or Lose.
The Morning Briefing:
Everyone else is writing about and commentating on the passage of the health care insurance reform bill. I've decided to let it rest and will turn my attention to world peace. While the United States Congresspeople have been enduring the health care waterboarding, there have been some significant developments throughout the world which will have big implications for the United States.
North Korea and Iran were labeled by President George W. Bush as members of the axis of evil. These rogue states rely on threats and intimidation to achieve their political goals. Their nuclear ambitions kept them in the spotlight while normally countries like these would go unnoticed. President Obama has tried a different tact to gain better relationship with North Korea and Iran. He has reached out in a tone of reconciliation only to receive their clenched fist in return.
President Obama has also reached out to Palestine. In an effort to renew peace talks in the Middle East, President Obama has attempted to be even handed with Israel and Palestine. In the process, Israel has furthered their settlements and Palestine has responded with missile attacks on Gaza while Vice President Biden reprimanded Israel for their planned expansion. No peace is in sight.
Zinger looks at the real threats to peace and it might just be us.
Who Said It?
"The government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it."
The Discussion:
President Obama has tried to enlist the help of other nations (as GW Bush had done) in an attempt to apply pressure on North Korea (through China), Iran (through Russia and China) and Palestine (though Syria, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia). In each case, these nations failed to step up the pressure to encourage North Korea and Iran to give up their nuclear ambitions and the Palestinians and Israelis to seek a peace accord with security for both nations. President Obama has even restructured Europe’s missiles to satisfy the Soviet Union only to have the Soviet Union announce that they will be activating Iran’s nuclear reactor later this year.
It seems that these countries (Iran, Palestine, North Korea and Israel) are not interested in peace. Or is it that the peace partners are not interest in peace? Could it be that China, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Syria get benefit from the unstable environment? Could it be that the lack of progress in these areas, combined with the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan keep the United States off balance and in a weakened position?
President Obama has gone out of his way to engage China, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Syria in a different way, but the United States in a weakened position is easier to contain and bargain with. It has been learned that Russia tried to convince China to sell US Dollars and securities in an effort to further weaken the United States.
Japan is now flexing its muscle against US presence and policy. China is using its strength to achieve its goal of isolating Tibet and reacquiring Taiwan. Russia is still seething over the loss of the Soviet Union and their political power base in the region. A weakened United States will not be able to respond to Russia’s advances against Georgia as they claim control of more oil and gas pipelines that feed Europe, a key bargaining chip in their long-term growth strategy. Saudi Arabia likes the United States in a weakened position so they have more control over their oil and their way of life. Obviously, Iran likes a weakened United States to allow them to broaden their influence and keep Israel muted. North Korea likes a weakened United States as it permits them to further blackmail for desperately needed money and resources. Europe likes a weakened United States as it provides greater independence. Even Israel benefits from a weakened but cooperative United States.
The Conclusion:
As we look to North Korea, Palestine and Iran as potential enemies of peace, maybe we should instead look to China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Europe and even Israel as the real enemies of peace. If so, doesn't that put greater emphasis on rebuilding the American economy since our economy has long been a source of international strength.
If so, what does that mean for our foreign policy? We are no longer fighting the cold war, we are now fighting the cold shoulder war.
Who Said It:
"The government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it."
Ronald Reagan
Today's ZingerToon:
Recent ZingerKing Articles:
Articles can be found under “Recent Articles” in the purple sidebar. Older articles can be found in the archives that are stored by month. These are found at the bottom of the purple sidebar as well. Here is a list of the most recent articles.
Health Care Experiments and Pilots Are Parking Lots Of Political Decisions
Confessions of an Academic: Obama's Advisors.
America's Health Care, Universal Health Care
The President's State Of The Union Speech
Supreme Court Rules On Corporate Political Advertising
A Republican In A Democrat's Seat. Brown In Kennedy's Seat.
How Parenting Style Shows Up In International Politics. Non-Verbal Communications.
The Role Of Government: Provider or Enabler?
The Corruption Of Health Care Legislation
Inflation Is Coming, Inflation is Coming. Inflation And The Deficit
The Administrations Decision Process For Afghanistan
President Obama's Job Fair and Search for Jobs
President Obama's Afghanistan Strategy and Speech
Shameless Request For Support:
ZingerKing operates without advertising or government funding (obviously). The purpose is to inform and educate its readers about economic and political issues that affect our lives.
Help ZingerKing grow. Have you Zinged someone lately? Please forward a link to ZingerKing to a friend, family member or neighbor. If you enjoy reading the Zinger please subscribe (see the subscribe box at the top of the article in the purple side band). Subscribers receive the "Morning Briefing" when published with a link to the full article. Periodic alerts are sent to subscribers only with important updates and insights into critical issues. Your email address will not sold to others and will not be shared.
Write To Us:
You can comment on any article by clicking on the comment button at the bottom of each article or you can write to us at ZK@ZingerKing.com
Posted by ZK at 3/22/2010 2:46 PM 
Categories: International Affairs, Foreign Policy
Tags: International Affairs North Korea Israel Palestine Foreign Policy Nuclear ambition Iran
Categories: International Affairs, Foreign Policy
Tags: International Affairs North Korea Israel Palestine Foreign Policy Nuclear ambition Iran
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