Sonny Clark
Diamond Member
- Banned
- #1
[ This piece was written either in 2005 or 2006. But, it could still apply to the current situation and events in North Korea and Iran.]
Diplomacy Doesn't Work
Diplomacy, considered to be THE “go to” tool when attempting to resolve international concerns, has, in a sense, become ineffective. At one time, the threat of our military might supported and strengthened our ability to negotiate agreements. Not only was our superior military respected, our economic clout complemented and added to that respect. Since we’ve demonstrated our shortcomings in non-nuclear warfare, and our economy is primarily based on borrowed money, our efforts at diplomacy produce little fruit.
Repeated efforts to resolve the dispute over nuclear development, both in North Korea and Iran, has met with little in the way of agreement, but has certainly given meaning to defiance. Governments and leaders around the world are seeing a lack of unity among world powers. And, the threat of military action, as is sometimes silently implied during diplomatic negotiations, is weakened as the world watches Iraq. The supporting elements of diplomacy have lost most of their weight, thus putting the U.S. at a disadvantage when seated at the bargaining table.
The evidence of diplomacy’s weakness can be seen in the Middle East and in Africa. Africa, which is another hotbed of unrest where negotiations have produced little meaningful results, remains in turmoil. After many attempts to resolve the dispute with the Palestinians, Israel has yet to negotiate a peaceful settlement. Mutually equitable negotiated agreements through diplomatic means are becoming a rarity, though serious efforts continue on many fronts.
If diplomacy is no long effective in resolving international concerns, what’s the alternative, or alternatives? The possibilities, such as isolation and economic sanctions would only serve to make matters worse. If military options were to be used, they would certainly result in a no-win situation for both sides of the conflict. Isolation of a country would result in a rogue nation seeking alliance with anyone sympathetic to its’ cause. Economic sanctions would cause hardship to innocent civilians and bring sympathetic support from those countries opposed to the use of sanctions, thus nullifying the effects.
This brings us to extortion, which has taken the place of diplomatic means of resolving international concerns. North Korea has offered to halt its’ nuclear program in exchange for a large monetary aid package. Iran has hinted that it would consider doing the same for monetary aid. Other nations have offered to cooperate with the U.S. on a variety of issues in exchange for monetary aid. In today’s world, extortion is the name of the game. No longer is it trade agreements or the exchange of technology that’s negotiated, now its Mafia Style extortion at its’ grandest.
Because we’ve become economically dependent, unable to effectively use our military, and have lost international allegiance, our ability to negotiate through diplomatic means is almost negligible. We must now allow ourselves to be a victim of extortion if we are to resolve our differences with other governments. Diplomacy no longer works; it’s extortion that settles international differences in today’s world.
Diplomacy Doesn't Work
Diplomacy, considered to be THE “go to” tool when attempting to resolve international concerns, has, in a sense, become ineffective. At one time, the threat of our military might supported and strengthened our ability to negotiate agreements. Not only was our superior military respected, our economic clout complemented and added to that respect. Since we’ve demonstrated our shortcomings in non-nuclear warfare, and our economy is primarily based on borrowed money, our efforts at diplomacy produce little fruit.
Repeated efforts to resolve the dispute over nuclear development, both in North Korea and Iran, has met with little in the way of agreement, but has certainly given meaning to defiance. Governments and leaders around the world are seeing a lack of unity among world powers. And, the threat of military action, as is sometimes silently implied during diplomatic negotiations, is weakened as the world watches Iraq. The supporting elements of diplomacy have lost most of their weight, thus putting the U.S. at a disadvantage when seated at the bargaining table.
The evidence of diplomacy’s weakness can be seen in the Middle East and in Africa. Africa, which is another hotbed of unrest where negotiations have produced little meaningful results, remains in turmoil. After many attempts to resolve the dispute with the Palestinians, Israel has yet to negotiate a peaceful settlement. Mutually equitable negotiated agreements through diplomatic means are becoming a rarity, though serious efforts continue on many fronts.
If diplomacy is no long effective in resolving international concerns, what’s the alternative, or alternatives? The possibilities, such as isolation and economic sanctions would only serve to make matters worse. If military options were to be used, they would certainly result in a no-win situation for both sides of the conflict. Isolation of a country would result in a rogue nation seeking alliance with anyone sympathetic to its’ cause. Economic sanctions would cause hardship to innocent civilians and bring sympathetic support from those countries opposed to the use of sanctions, thus nullifying the effects.
This brings us to extortion, which has taken the place of diplomatic means of resolving international concerns. North Korea has offered to halt its’ nuclear program in exchange for a large monetary aid package. Iran has hinted that it would consider doing the same for monetary aid. Other nations have offered to cooperate with the U.S. on a variety of issues in exchange for monetary aid. In today’s world, extortion is the name of the game. No longer is it trade agreements or the exchange of technology that’s negotiated, now its Mafia Style extortion at its’ grandest.
Because we’ve become economically dependent, unable to effectively use our military, and have lost international allegiance, our ability to negotiate through diplomatic means is almost negligible. We must now allow ourselves to be a victim of extortion if we are to resolve our differences with other governments. Diplomacy no longer works; it’s extortion that settles international differences in today’s world.
