3 ms·

I don't think these are mundane at all, but I also don't think the US comes out looking very bad. There are surely going to be some relationships that are sligh

by btmorex 16y ago

I don't think these are mundane at all, but I also don't think the US comes out looking very bad. There are surely going to be some relationships that are slightly damaged especially with some allies, but so far, it's nothing too bad. Other countries on the other hand... I know this isn't hugely surprising, but it's now public that essentially everyone in the middle east is lobbying the US to attack Iran. That's got to mess up some relations there. Also, some of the back room disses within foreign countries are probably going to screw up their domestic politics.

berntb 16y ago
Consider this: How many (sober) politicians will now have an open heart discussion with an US diplomatic official, which really couldn't reach his own voters/subjects? Without being that knowledgeable about diplomacy internals, that should be worse than most any scandal.
- kolektiv 16y ago
  If politicians no longer feel comfortable stating opinions or plans which would be unacceptable to the electorate and/or their own voters, I for one don't feel that's entirely bad. I'm pretty much in favour of politicians being open about their plans and principles.
  - _djo_ 16y ago
    It's not only about their own populations, it will also have a detrimental effect on world leaders' willingness to discuss other countries, especially their neighbours, with US diplomats. The end result of the Wikileaks cable dump is that it's going to make it much more difficult for American diplomats to engage in calm, rational diplomacy behind closed doors with most of the world's countries. That may bring immeasurable harm to America's foreign policy and make it harder to maintain a peaceful and stable international system. I don't believe this leak was necessary or in the best interest of most of the world's people.

3 ms·

I don't think these are mundane at all, but I also don't think the US comes out looking very bad. There are surely going to be some relationships that are sligh

by btmorex 16y ago

berntb 16y ago
Consider this: How many (sober) politicians will now have an open heart discussion with an US diplomatic official, which really couldn't reach his own voters/subjects? Without being that knowledgeable about diplomacy internals, that should be worse than most any scandal.
- kolektiv 16y ago
  If politicians no longer feel comfortable stating opinions or plans which would be unacceptable to the electorate and/or their own voters, I for one don't feel that's entirely bad. I'm pretty much in favour of politicians being open about their plans and principles.
  - _djo_ 16y ago
    It's not only about their own populations, it will also have a detrimental effect on world leaders' willingness to discuss other countries, especially their neighbours, with US diplomats. The end result of the Wikileaks cable dump is that it's going to make it much more difficult for American diplomats to engage in calm, rational diplomacy behind closed doors with most of the world's countries. That may bring immeasurable harm to America's foreign policy and make it harder to maintain a peaceful and stable international system. I don't believe this leak was necessary or in the best interest of most of the world's people.