NATO AIR
Senior Member
A terrible reality many liberals and conservative isolationists irresponsibly try to ignore is this; America is the "last, best hope for mankind on Earth." (Ronald Reagan/Abraham Lincoln) No nation but ours has the will, power and ability to forward the goals of justice, peace and prosperity for all. We've paid a high price for this lofty position as the world's leader, as evidenced in World War I & II, Korea, Vietnam, Lebanon, Afghanistan and Iraq. Some see this sacrifice, especially in today's world, as unnecessary for the times. They would like America to focus exclusively on its own needs and desires, without regard to the broad world we live in. To do so would be a tragic mistake that would leave America's future in serious doubt and the world in a dire condition.
Why We Are The Global Police
The UN is weak because of corruption and an archaic Security Council veto system that allows oppressive nations like China and Russia to protect their greed and selfish national interests. Irresponsible nations like France and Germany undermine important global initatives America leads because of petty jealousy and domestic politics. Multinational organizations that unite political, economic and security issues and powers in regions like Africa, Europe and the Americas (The African Union, European Union and Organization Of American States respectively) are to be commended for their efforts to handle their "in-house" problems and emergencies. They still lack certain basic ingredients to success (logistics, broad consensus and expertise) that only the United States can offer, further adding to America's workload. Nevertheless, when genocide rages in Darfur and oppression reigns in Burma, the victims do not cry for Britain or Japan to rescue them, they pray and plead for America. This is America's legacy, what really puts the super in "superpower". We've rescued and saved more peoples than any nation or people in history and even helped our enemies rebuild and recover under the banner of democracy and peace. To abandon our rich and heroic history would be a tragic dismemberment of America's very essence in the world.
How We Can Help Others To Accept Responsibility Without Abdicating
Much has been done to increase America's burden as the global leader. Our leadership after Pres. Reagan did little to address and prepare for the post-Cold War era of civil wars, genocides and global Islamic fundamentalism. America was left to pick up the pieces in places like Bosnia, while it anxiously questions its responsibilities in the face of genocides in Rwanda and Darfur. To address this, we must realize the failures of the past and focus on preventing them in the future by acting now. For nearly 15 years, American leadership has misread the needs of other nations to handle their regional emergencies. Instead of assisting nations to build up their own capabilities by honestly asking them to step up to the plate and ante up, we've focused on soft issues like training with existing, under equipped forces for peacekeeping and the like.
You can see the results of this disaster in NATO's handling of Bosnia and Kosovo. Too often, American troops were working with well-trained forces who lacked the basic components and equipment to honor their responsibilities and showcase their abilities. The same farce is happening in Darfur as African Union forces that have recieved training from American forces lack the logistics and equipment neccessary to stop genocide.
A Global Plan, Not A Global Test
A global plan of action, led by the United States, is necessary to address this galling problem. If it must be done, America must help these multi-national organizations to build up their basic capabilities to address emergencies. That means our defense contractors, as well as those of other Allied nations, must start being responsible. Far too many Allied nations have militaries that purchase expensive items they do not really need, while ignoring critical areas that they end up regretting. Does Australia really need a great number of tanks? Must Chile have a large air force? Are submarines really necessary to Canada?
We're Going To Be An Even More Active Leader?
At the same time, America's role as world leader must be magnified and expanded. France and Germany may not appreciate this very much, but America must vastly expand its activies and its initatives in the future. We have to be more active in the world, not only in fighting Islamic terrorism, but in fighting genocide, condemning oppression and waging battle against injustice. While taking an even bigger role may seem impossible, its quite feasible and beneficial to America as well as to the free world.
Fleshed out and detailed alliances with nations like India, Brazil, South Africa, Japan, Australia and South Africa would be a good start, as well as expecting and asking them to accept greater responsibility for their regional interests and problems. They must be leaders as well, not only allies. In time, America may not have to make the terrible choice of putting "boots on the ground" to save lives or standing by only to watch the death toll rise (Darfur). A final key to this worthy and attainable goal is to learn to be proactive rather than reactive in international relations. The best cop is the one who stops the crime from happening in the first place.
NATO AIR 9 October 2004
Written During Super Typhoon Ma-On's Onslaught
Why We Are The Global Police
The UN is weak because of corruption and an archaic Security Council veto system that allows oppressive nations like China and Russia to protect their greed and selfish national interests. Irresponsible nations like France and Germany undermine important global initatives America leads because of petty jealousy and domestic politics. Multinational organizations that unite political, economic and security issues and powers in regions like Africa, Europe and the Americas (The African Union, European Union and Organization Of American States respectively) are to be commended for their efforts to handle their "in-house" problems and emergencies. They still lack certain basic ingredients to success (logistics, broad consensus and expertise) that only the United States can offer, further adding to America's workload. Nevertheless, when genocide rages in Darfur and oppression reigns in Burma, the victims do not cry for Britain or Japan to rescue them, they pray and plead for America. This is America's legacy, what really puts the super in "superpower". We've rescued and saved more peoples than any nation or people in history and even helped our enemies rebuild and recover under the banner of democracy and peace. To abandon our rich and heroic history would be a tragic dismemberment of America's very essence in the world.
How We Can Help Others To Accept Responsibility Without Abdicating
Much has been done to increase America's burden as the global leader. Our leadership after Pres. Reagan did little to address and prepare for the post-Cold War era of civil wars, genocides and global Islamic fundamentalism. America was left to pick up the pieces in places like Bosnia, while it anxiously questions its responsibilities in the face of genocides in Rwanda and Darfur. To address this, we must realize the failures of the past and focus on preventing them in the future by acting now. For nearly 15 years, American leadership has misread the needs of other nations to handle their regional emergencies. Instead of assisting nations to build up their own capabilities by honestly asking them to step up to the plate and ante up, we've focused on soft issues like training with existing, under equipped forces for peacekeeping and the like.
You can see the results of this disaster in NATO's handling of Bosnia and Kosovo. Too often, American troops were working with well-trained forces who lacked the basic components and equipment to honor their responsibilities and showcase their abilities. The same farce is happening in Darfur as African Union forces that have recieved training from American forces lack the logistics and equipment neccessary to stop genocide.
A Global Plan, Not A Global Test
A global plan of action, led by the United States, is necessary to address this galling problem. If it must be done, America must help these multi-national organizations to build up their basic capabilities to address emergencies. That means our defense contractors, as well as those of other Allied nations, must start being responsible. Far too many Allied nations have militaries that purchase expensive items they do not really need, while ignoring critical areas that they end up regretting. Does Australia really need a great number of tanks? Must Chile have a large air force? Are submarines really necessary to Canada?
We're Going To Be An Even More Active Leader?
At the same time, America's role as world leader must be magnified and expanded. France and Germany may not appreciate this very much, but America must vastly expand its activies and its initatives in the future. We have to be more active in the world, not only in fighting Islamic terrorism, but in fighting genocide, condemning oppression and waging battle against injustice. While taking an even bigger role may seem impossible, its quite feasible and beneficial to America as well as to the free world.
Fleshed out and detailed alliances with nations like India, Brazil, South Africa, Japan, Australia and South Africa would be a good start, as well as expecting and asking them to accept greater responsibility for their regional interests and problems. They must be leaders as well, not only allies. In time, America may not have to make the terrible choice of putting "boots on the ground" to save lives or standing by only to watch the death toll rise (Darfur). A final key to this worthy and attainable goal is to learn to be proactive rather than reactive in international relations. The best cop is the one who stops the crime from happening in the first place.
NATO AIR 9 October 2004
Written During Super Typhoon Ma-On's Onslaught
