The Pendulum Swings - Back...Again
Suddenly all international roads lead to Washington. How far will this turnabout reach? The United States, so inspiring to so many in its steadfast upholding of freedom, democracy, cultural enhancement, economic aspirations, and social enlightenment - doing its utmost for the emancipation of a tardy world - has fallen from grace. The U.S. has been scorned, denounced, discredited on the world stage, but for the support of a handful of the die-hard.Or at least it had, last time I had a good hard look. Mostly the fault of the incumbent president and his unfortunate decision-making and let's face it, stupid choices. Democracy American-style just doesn't cut it up against primitive tribalism, resurgent theocratic rule and Medieval-type justice. It may, given time, emerge in its very particular way altered to reflect a culture and tradition to which the very concept is alien at the moment - but not right away and certainly not now.
In the meantime, cultural relativism made for super-sensitive acceptance of how life could be tolerated for the masses under totalitarian rule whether kingdom, theocratic, or secular dictatorship because it expressed a certain culture, religion, tradition. And who is the West to stand in judgement, anyway? Even when we had to strain for tolerance in the face of an aggrieved onslaught of fundamentalist-engaged volcanoes of denunciatory violence.
Western Europe, representing an enhanced history of liberation from tyrannical rule of the dim past and the enlightenment of the present, was the elder statesman of the world, the United States representing the brash new descendant, one complementing and emulating the other, combining to present a facade of political empowerment - all straining mightily to haul the rest of the world up to acceptably moderate standards.
Then life got tough for the U.S. and the primitive-minded terrorists gave it its come-uppance, and things just seemed to fall apart from then on in, as the wounded giant struggled to understand what had occurred, what its response should be, and why it was so targeted. The initial response was well joined, the succeeding one managed to create tensions and hostilities it hardly anticipated, and it was left floundering on the world stage.
Now, under new administrations, the stalwart triumvirate of France, Germany and Great Britain are returning to the fold of international companionship and political acceptance. And what appears to have brought them all together? Why, none other than Iran's plans for her future and that of the world at large. No longer scorned and excoriated, but courted, Washington has seen, in short order, overtures she welcomes.
France's President Nikolas Sarkozy has been first at the start line, to warn of an impending invasion if negotiations continue on their fruitless arc of sanctions-and-pleas. Then it was Germany's Angela Merkel, informing that her country will be firm in supporting the U.S. and the UN's moves to up the ante on sanctions. (Since her country is the largest investor and trading partner, they could start right there and begin an ungentle pull-back.)
Now, lest Britain be left too far behind the finish line, Gordon Brown has stepped up to the podium, promising that he too is prepared to get tough and tougher, with Tehran. "I have no truck with anti-Americanism in Britain or elsewhere in Europe, and I believe our ties with America, founded on values we share, constitute our most important bilateral relationship."
(Hear that? Russia, China; we're awaiting positive responses from you two colossi.)
Hear, hear!
Labels: Political Realities, Technology, Troublespots, World Crises
posted by Pieface @ Tuesday, November 13, 2007
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