Henry Kissinger speaks in the WaPo today on the “Three Revolutions” facing policy makers: The disestablishment of the European nation-state identity system, the rejection of the European-imposed nation-state system by the Islamist jihad, and the rise of traditional nation-state competitions in a growingly important Pacific Rim.
Europe is on its way to being a historical demographic curiousity, while the really exciting chapters of the Pacific Rim have not yet been outlined, far less written. For current events, Kissinger’s take on the Middle East is compelling:
Jihadist Islam rejects national sovereignty based on secular state models; it seeks to extend its reach to wherever significant populations profess the Muslim faith. Since neither the international system nor the internal structure of existing states has legitimacy in Islamist eyes, its ideology leaves little room for Western notions of negotiation or equilibrium in a region of vital interest to the security and well-being of the industrial states. That struggle is endemic; we do not have the option of withdrawal. We can retreat from any one place, such as Iraq, but only to be obliged to resist from new positions, probably more disadvantageously.
Yep.
And he will be dismissed my many as “tainted” before they ever consider whether there is truth in his statements. It’s called progressivism and it affects lots of folks…never me though…(-*
Wow, very nice, succint take on the state of the world. The last paragraph by itself is great fodder for either discussions over beer, or a PHD dissertation. If we only had some leadership in congress that was willing to seriously consider the questions and implications.
Claudio
PS. Its Kissinger right?
You’re right, Claudio – thanks. “Kissenger” was a CWO4 who worked as TAO in CDC during my last two deployments.
Good man.
Sounds good. It was just surprizing, seeing a misspelling in your stuff. Like in the old days when I was a FA, working in the Engineering Logroom of the CORAL MARU, and had a standing bet with the MPA on finding misspellings in eachothers work. A case of beer. neither ever paid.
Claudio