Obama Flirts with Russia: Logical
Published in Trouw
(Netherlands) on 7 May 2010
by Rob de Wijk (link to original)
At the end of the Cold War, it seemed America would become the undisputed and only superpower, leading the world to a new and better future, a world with American values. In addition to the fact that nothing has come from that elevated goal, the position of the United States has so weakened that Washington is less and less capable of managing the world.
China, glowing with self-confidence and energy, continued its economic growth, despite the credit crisis. The superlative manner in which China launched the Olympic Games last year, and now Expo 2010, demonstrates to the world that China has definitely become a world class player.
The demise of unipolarity in international relations has been a topic of discussion since the publication of Krauthammer’s article in Foreign Affairs. There is agreement, however, on one thing: The time of the single superpower is over in this rapidly changing world. This is largely due to Bush, by the way, for his substantial contribution to the crumbling of American power with his unholy adventure in Iraq and the out-of-control government finances. Greedy bankers did the rest.
Obama, who succeeded Bush, appeared to be a softy in the international arena, a president averse to power politics, but appearances were deceptive. Obama is increasingly realistic and, rather than speaking platitudes to friend and foe, is capable of following a hard political line, if necessary. His policies toward Israel and Iran speak volumes.
Obama turns out to be a realist who can conduct classic power politics. It is clear that America is now working with China in determining the new world order. This means that America does not want to become involved in disagreement with China, but rather must influence choices made by China. If America would become weaker, connections would be made with other countries; it isn’t much more complicated than that. Europe is America’s first choice, but we are mainly concerned with ourselves, and are, therefore, ignored by Obama — and rightly so.
Obama’s approach toward Russia, therefore, doesn’t surprise me at all. After the agreement on strategic nuclear weapons, a new treaty is in the air: on tactical nuclear weapons in Europe. In addition, the treaty on conventional armed forces in Europe seems to have been brought back to life. Last week, President Medvedev announced the possibility that Russia will start working with NATO. That position also makes sense, because Russian distrust of China is even greater than its distrust of America and its NATO allies.
And so we glide into a new era, an era in which unthinkable relationships take shape: relationships with the central purpose of providing a counterweight to the rise of China.
China, glowing with self-confidence and energy, continued its economic growth, despite the credit crisis. The superlative manner in which China launched the Olympic Games last year, and now Expo 2010, demonstrates to the world that China has definitely become a world class player.
The demise of unipolarity in international relations has been a topic of discussion since the publication of Krauthammer’s article in Foreign Affairs. There is agreement, however, on one thing: The time of the single superpower is over in this rapidly changing world. This is largely due to Bush, by the way, for his substantial contribution to the crumbling of American power with his unholy adventure in Iraq and the out-of-control government finances. Greedy bankers did the rest.
Obama, who succeeded Bush, appeared to be a softy in the international arena, a president averse to power politics, but appearances were deceptive. Obama is increasingly realistic and, rather than speaking platitudes to friend and foe, is capable of following a hard political line, if necessary. His policies toward Israel and Iran speak volumes.
Obama turns out to be a realist who can conduct classic power politics. It is clear that America is now working with China in determining the new world order. This means that America does not want to become involved in disagreement with China, but rather must influence choices made by China. If America would become weaker, connections would be made with other countries; it isn’t much more complicated than that. Europe is America’s first choice, but we are mainly concerned with ourselves, and are, therefore, ignored by Obama — and rightly so.
Obama’s approach toward Russia, therefore, doesn’t surprise me at all. After the agreement on strategic nuclear weapons, a new treaty is in the air: on tactical nuclear weapons in Europe. In addition, the treaty on conventional armed forces in Europe seems to have been brought back to life. Last week, President Medvedev announced the possibility that Russia will start working with NATO. That position also makes sense, because Russian distrust of China is even greater than its distrust of America and its NATO allies.
And so we glide into a new era, an era in which unthinkable relationships take shape: relationships with the central purpose of providing a counterweight to the rise of China.