Stratfor founder George Friedman discusses the theme of his forthcoming book, “The Next Decade,” and explains why the United States has to change the way it deals with today’s world.
Stratfor | January 7, 2011
This entry was posted on January 7, 2011 by Saïd Nassiri. It was filed under China, Europe, Foreign Policy, Geopolitical Calculus, Geopolitical Constraint, Geopolitical Leverage, Geopolitical Shifts, Germany, Global Balance of Power, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Middle East, Pakistan, Persian Gulf, Pivotal States, Poland, Regional Balance of Power, Russia, Soviet Union, Turkey, United States .
What George Friedman says is, that the US will reduce its global foot print, but manipulate countries to maintain balance of power in the regions of its interest.
This is same British strategy of divide and rule.
What George Friedman does not realize is that in today’s world, every nation will pursue their own national interests, no one will care for Americans interests, and manipulating the dominant nations will not be as easy as the Americans think.
January 8, 2011 at 12:49 AM
It’s not clear whether George Friedman is simply expressing his personal point of view, or speaking as a “well-informed” expert, close to power circles in the U.S.
The comparison between the constraints of the republic and the empire, is interesting. He is probably referring to the old rational choice theory : maximizing gains and limiting losses. The U.S. can assert itself on the world stage by different means : raw force, soft power, influence, economic incentives etc. On the other hand, the countries involved can oppose different degrees of resistance. Cuba is a significant example.
January 8, 2011 at 2:27 PM
One thing is clear, the Americans are scared of the nukes and will never touch a nation possessing nukes. Therefore spread of nukes and the delivery systems will be detrimental to American power and ambition.
January 8, 2011 at 3:18 PM
Sometimes, having a nuclear arsenal doesn’t make any real difference. The Apartheid regime developed a nuclear program in South Africa with Israeli cooperation. Moscow lost control over large portions of territory in the Eurasian heartland. Covert operations and destabilization campaigns (Eastern Europe, Central Asia, China, India, Pakistan etc.) can be far more effective than a conventional war.
January 8, 2011 at 7:46 PM
CHINA WINS THIS WAR. usa has too much debt and is fighting multiple wars
August 17, 2011 at 12:44 PM