Can the Pentagon Afford a New China Pattern?

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/09/02/this_week_at_…

Robert Haddick’s recent post on his Small Wars blog raises several fascinating questions about the United States strategic approach to China.

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How Sad to be a Foreign Policy Wonk

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Drezner on the unlikelihood of a foreign-policy focused Obama.

Amplify’d from drezner.foreignpolicy.com

I’d say “post-Great Recession world,” but that’s quibbling.  If Americans are fed up with how long it takes for anything to get done in Congress, wait until they pay attention to foreign affairs.  The Doha round is on year nine and counting.  With important exceptions, the United States has military forces in practically every country it’s intervened in since 1945. Who knows how long a global warming treaty — or the reconstruction of Haiti — will take. Are there exceptions?  Sure, but they’re ephemeral.  I suspect the follow-on to START-II would get through the Senate, because, really, is now the time to pick a fight with Russia?  Osama bin Laden’s head on a pike would probably warm the cockles of most Americans.  But they wouldn’t stay warm for long. No, it’s the economy, stupid.  The healthier the economy, the more political capital for Obama, and the less likely he will be punished for taking an interest in foreign affairs.  If Obama has any political self-preservation instincts at all, international relations will be done on the DL for a while. It’s unfair, and very problematic for foreign policy wonks, but no one said life is fair. Read more at drezner.foreignpolicy.com

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