Excellent article especially the last page. I like reading Kissinger. I read his most recent book. This paragraph toward the end sums up the major problem.

"All this has generated a witches' brew of mutual misunderstandings. In America, critics describe European attitudes as fainthearted, querulous and, on occasion, duplicitous. In Europe the media (and too many political figures) revel in descriptions of America's racial tension, the death penalty, differences over the environment and mistreatment of prisoners as if aberrations reflected the ultimate meaning of the United States. Shifting their priority from the Atlantic alliance to the U.N. Security Council, Europeans feel no special obligation to support U.S. policy, on occasion actively opposing it."

P.S. I think at least a few European leaders are disingenous on the topic of international cooperation. Chirac, for one, profits from opposing the US rather than cooperating with the US.

I figured you would like the article Colin.

The part about the world moving from an Atlantic center, to a Pacific center is important to understand and take advantage.

If the Europeans want to leave us hanging, we should use our power, and unique geography to build alliances we can count on in the future!

2500 years after Thucydides the "balance of power" concept is still here. The problem - from a certain point of view - is that the eagle now has a bullseye on its back. On the other side of that is that there are always enough local power struggles to keep the local chiefs busy. China/Japan/North Korea. France/Germany/UK.

:D

Amazing that a book written so long ago is still the basis for all State interaction. Maybe I should go to graduate school and become an "expert" for cable TV!

I love reading Kissenger. A casual glance at Diplomacy is all you need to realize that he is one hell of a teacher.

As for applying his theories in practice, however ... well, that's a whole different kettle of fish (Argentinian or Indonesian - take your pick).

PD, I agree with you. He doesn't always have a practical solution (nobody does) but he does state his very well. I haven't read Diplomacy yet but it is on my reading list.

Note this date, Colin, PD, and I all agree.

Better count the electorals!