4 ms·
Obama administration's approach to conflict has generally been "they are making threats and can escalate them, if they do, we would not be willing to respond in
by xixi77 10y ago
Obama administration's approach to conflict has generally been "they are making threats and can escalate them, if they do, we would not be willing to respond in kind, therefore let's do nothing and avoid conflict, and hopefully eventually things will be nice between us again, because somehow magically history is on our side". This is quite a radical departure from the "peace through strength" approach that has kept the US safe for the 60 years before that.
Of course anyone who's ever gotten into a fight in middle school can see the fatal fault with this line of thinking :(
- micaksica 10y ago> Of course anyone who's ever gotten into a fight in middle school can see the fatal fault with this line of thinking Yes. This line of thinking is complacent, and it is how benevolent empires fall to ruthless conquerors.
- mark_edward 10y agoThere's no such thing as a benevolent empire
- bsder 10y ago> Of course anyone who's ever gotten into a fight in middle school can see the fatal fault with this line of thinking :( Of course, anyone who has grown up around gangs can see the fault in "We must retaliate for all insults or they will quit fearing us and take our territory." Occasionally, you wind up with everybody dead or in the hospital. Fortunately, our leaders are mostly adults who understand that there is nuance to diplomacy.
- deleted 10y ago[deleted]
- koverstreet 10y ago"Peace through strength" very nearly turned the Cuban missile crisis into WWIII. In the real world things aren't black and white, they're often nearly indistinguishable shades of gray and at the nation state level nobody has clean hands. "Peace through strength" is more often than not an excuse to ignore the many reasons one's own side has been escalating conflicts. If we actually want peace, we need to get serious about deescalation, and the nature of world politics - and endless series of tit-for-tat - means that someone has to go first. Obama appears to get this. Hillary doesn't. Who fucking knows what goes on in Trump's head...