RMC: Don’t do business with them and make it clear that if they aid or abet the terrorists, we will hold them responsible. That’s a pretty hard line approach, but money talks. If they can’t get stuff from us in terms of trade, they may think twice about throwing in with the enemy. Each and every one of these countries wants or needs something from the United States, whether they will admit it or not. We need to identify what that is and use that as the carrot on the stick. Continue reading
World Affairs
Symposium 2011: Should the U.S. have a continued presence of military around the world?
Sydney: I think the U.S definitely needs to have a continued military presence around the world in order to protect its interests and support its allies. The more important question is, where should that presence be? By establishing a greater presence in Australia’s north the U.S is responding to the growing military power of China. On the other hand our attempts to establish democraticic governments and peace in Afghanistan and Iraq are proving to be dismal failures. Perhaps the military needs to be smarter in where it sends its troops. Continue reading
Symposium 2011: Is China a strategic partner, a strategic competitor, or an enemy of the United States? Are they an economic threat or a military threat?
Michigan: China is too busy building factories and infrastructure to worry about such things as world peace keeping, nuclear weapons, or a world class military. We need China and they need us. I think that China may have the best economy in the world today. So yes, they are an economic threat. As far as a military threat, they can have anything they want, but they are content to set back and watch us spend our money. Continue reading
Symposium 2011: Should the U.S. continue pursuing the six-party talks with North Korea? If not, what policy would be more effective?
Cartwright: Unlike Iran whose leaders are religious fanatics, I think North Korea is engaging in economic extortion. It doesn’t hurt to keep talking to them and giving a little of what they want each time if it keeps them contained and keeps their programme in check. However, if Kim Jong-un is going to be aggressive with the nuclear arms or take a different approach than his father, I think we would have to reassess the benefits of the talks. Continue reading
Symposium 2011: What’s your assessment of the United Nations. Should we cut off funding? Is the creation of a Palestinian state in the best interests of U.S. security concerns?
RMC: I think the United Nations started out as a good organization conceptually, but it has failed the world at every turn. They haven’t really accomplished very much of anything on the world stage in the way of stopping genocide, abuses of people by dictators and despots, the proliferation of nuclear weapons, etc. And now that the U.S. has left Iraq, where are the peacekeepers in their little blue helmets? And when Iran ultimately obtains nuclear weapons capabilities, it will just be another vast failure of the United Nations. Continue reading
Symposium 2011: Should the U.S. have policies pursuing democracy in the Middle East?
RMC: The spread of democracy is a noble ambition. Peoples have a right to live in freedom, without oppression, and with certain basic rights. There are a lot of places in the Middle East that have never known democracy in recorded history. To suddenly thrust democracy upon these peoples is a little presumptuous and dangerous. They don’t know how to suddenly handle their freedoms. The new democracy is fragile and susceptible to infiltration by hostile or subversive forces. Continue reading
Symposium 2011: How do we prevent Iran from infiltrating the new Iraqi government now that U.S. troops have left the country and prevent them from obtaining nuclear weapons?
RMC: Without a continued military presence in Iraq there’s no way to ensure that Iran doesn’t meddle in Iraq’s affairs. The troop presence in Iraq was a powerful counterbalance to Iran and its desire to dominate the Middle East. While we effectively trained the Iraqi military and police, we don’t know their ability to fend off Iranian influence. And honestly, if Iran wanted to march into Iraq and take over, they probably could. Continue reading
Symposium 2011: There have been dozens of attempted terror attacks since 9/11. Most of them originated from Middle Eastern countries. Should we be profiling passengers on commercial jetliners?
Michigan: Yes, of course. If you are not a citizen, a ticket should not be able to be obtained to enter the U.S. until you’re cleared. In the case of some countries, no incoming air travel should be allowed at all. Continue reading
Symposium 2010: Iran and North Korea continue their pursuit of nuclear programmes. Is it time to give up on diplomacy?
Diplomacy can only go so far. The Europeans have been trying, unsuccessfully, to deal with Iran for years now. Have they accomplished anything? Not at all. Iran is continuing to move forward with its nuclear programme with the help of Russia and possibly China. The talks haven’t stopped their programme. Sanctions haven’t done anything either. This song and dance isn’t working. Continue reading
Taiwan, China & the U.S.
From Thinking Outside the Boxe’s London Correspondent
When it comes to dealing with China, Taiwan is a bit of a touchy subject. Although the two territories have had separate governments for over 70 years, the United States has to choose its words (and its actions) carefully when dealing with the Taiwan problem, or risk upsetting one of the world’s most powerful nations, which still claims Taiwan as its own. Continue reading
Thinking Outside The Boxe 