Friday, October 01, 2004
US leadership and motives distrusted around the world
The Guardian has an article today discussing the results of a couple surveys. One found that in the world court of opinion, the US is increasingly being distrusted for our role as "policeman". The study also found that in some cases, the world community feels that the US isn't getting involved quickly enough in certain situations such in the Sudan.
This seems like a contradiction, but perhaps it's not. It seems rational to me that other countries might wish that we would use our wealth and power for "good" (humanitarian purposes) rather than for "bad" (world domination).
By starting a pre-emptive war with Iraq, it seems we have probably made the world community very wary of us. At the same time, by failing to be pro-active in the Sudan, we are reinforcing the opinion that we only will get involved in world affairs if there is some benefit to us.
The other survey cited in the Guardian article found that over 3/4's of US citizen's don't want the US to be "planetary law enforcer," but they do feel strongly that the US should help prevent genocide.
It's striking that both international and national opinion seem to be in opposition of current US foreign policy.
¶ 11:21 AM
The Guardian has an article today discussing the results of a couple surveys. One found that in the world court of opinion, the US is increasingly being distrusted for our role as "policeman". The study also found that in some cases, the world community feels that the US isn't getting involved quickly enough in certain situations such in the Sudan.
This seems like a contradiction, but perhaps it's not. It seems rational to me that other countries might wish that we would use our wealth and power for "good" (humanitarian purposes) rather than for "bad" (world domination).
By starting a pre-emptive war with Iraq, it seems we have probably made the world community very wary of us. At the same time, by failing to be pro-active in the Sudan, we are reinforcing the opinion that we only will get involved in world affairs if there is some benefit to us.
The other survey cited in the Guardian article found that over 3/4's of US citizen's don't want the US to be "planetary law enforcer," but they do feel strongly that the US should help prevent genocide.
It's striking that both international and national opinion seem to be in opposition of current US foreign policy.
¶ 11:21 AM
