Hidden Costs
The world does not stand still. Our rivals see that America has an irrational policy towards Israel and the Middle East. A policy that often goes against its own strategic and financial interests. They are more than willing to use this irrationality to their advantage.
China sees that America is alienating more than one billion people and is moving to fill in the void. As part of its push to make trade agreements and strategic alliances, it has just picked some very low hanging fruit.
Quote:
These "negotiations" could include bringing Palestinian political demands directly to the UN Security Council. The irony of this communist nation with a poor human right record providing the voice of reason in the Israel-Palestinian conflict is hard to ignore.
Nonetheless, China is clearly seeking to establish another trading partner and create good will in the Arab and Muslim communities. This effort seems likely to succeed. It is like shooting fish in a barrel.
These ties present another obstacle for US corporations doing business oversees. You won't see these costs on the balance sheet of our support for Israel, but they is there. A more balanced policy would not only bring about peace more quickly, it would help US financial interests as well.
In the meantime I am sure China, and our other rivals, will waste no time taking advantage of every one of our political miscalculations.
Hat Tip:Culture of Life
China sees that America is alienating more than one billion people and is moving to fill in the void. As part of its push to make trade agreements and strategic alliances, it has just picked some very low hanging fruit.
Quote:
Visiting Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas received the pledge from Chinese leaders to provide economic aid health care and housing by the signing of five bilateral agreements yesterday in Beijing.
[...]
President Hu said the Chinese Government and its people supports the "just cause" of Palestinians, saying the way to establish an independent Palestinian state is to conduct political negotiations on UN resolutions, and resume the Road Map peace plan.
These "negotiations" could include bringing Palestinian political demands directly to the UN Security Council. The irony of this communist nation with a poor human right record providing the voice of reason in the Israel-Palestinian conflict is hard to ignore.
Nonetheless, China is clearly seeking to establish another trading partner and create good will in the Arab and Muslim communities. This effort seems likely to succeed. It is like shooting fish in a barrel.
These ties present another obstacle for US corporations doing business oversees. You won't see these costs on the balance sheet of our support for Israel, but they is there. A more balanced policy would not only bring about peace more quickly, it would help US financial interests as well.
In the meantime I am sure China, and our other rivals, will waste no time taking advantage of every one of our political miscalculations.
Hat Tip:Culture of Life
posted by Brian at 7:22 AM
4 Comments:
Great post, Brian. You're going a fine job as GIR II.
China will look for and exploit any opportunity it can to step into voids of global influence and power left by the US, whether through carelessness or alienation. The Chinese believe that a strong, prosperous country (fu qiang) with a commensurate leadership role on the world stage is their destiny. US mis-steps will only give China footholds at a pace even they hadn't yet imagined possible. Like giving the opposing ballclub five outs in an inning, they're going to make you pay for your errors.
The above post by "unknown" should have been signed by "Horace Silver."
An article in the Wall Street Journal last month or so said that Chinese influence was "exploding" into Africa. Meanwhile, the US tries its best to alienate the Muslims. If I were the Chinese, I would be delighted with Us policy in the Middle East.
Thanks for the kind words Horace.
Post a Comment
<< Home