the us foreign affairs thread

[gordonsolie]

https://thehill.com/policy/international/4899653-us-turkey-relations-s400-f35/

although i find erdo to be a somewhat deplorable human being…this isn’t a bad move by the biden admin.

[AlpineSummer]

On 9/25/2024 at 6:50 PM, East Village Poltergeist said:

https://thehill.com/policy/international/4899653-us-turkey-relations-s400-f35/

although i find erdo to be a somewhat deplorable human being…this isn’t a bad move by the biden admin.

Turkey is a conundrum, but a useful one. A frustrating one.  It's not like foreign policy isn't a den of iniquity.  

[mysfit]

It's going to be very interesting to see how Iran responds to Israel lopping off the head of it's proxy fighter, Hezbollah. Not sure it's in a position to do much of anything at t the moment.

Which leaves a big question mark for much of the ME response to the Palestinian issue.

[Orange]

Do I hear an Eric Adams pardon coming?….

[stanfordchef]

On 9/28/2024 at 7:32 AM, mysfit said:

It's going to be very interesting to see how Iran responds to Israel lopping off the head of it's proxy fighter, Hezbollah. Not sure it's in a position to do much of anything at t the moment.

Which leaves a big question mark for much of the ME response to the Palestinian issue.

Hopefully it leads to Lebanon becoming Lebanon again instead of being dominated by heavily armed shia Hillbillies. 

[azgreg]

On 9/30/2024 at 10:12 AM, Joe from Wyo said:

heavily armed shia Hillbillies.

Leave the GOP out of this.

 

[stanfordchef]

On 9/30/2024 at 10:31 AM, azgreg said:

Leave the GOP out of this.

 

Honestly I’ve never understood the GOP animus towards Hezbollah, the Taliban, the Iranian regime….they’re the same people. 

[azgreg]

On 9/30/2024 at 10:37 AM, Joe from Wyo said:

Honestly I’ve never understood the GOP animus towards Hezbollah, the Taliban, the Iranian regime….they’re the same people. 

 

[AlpineSummer]

On 9/25/2024 at 6:50 PM, East Village Poltergeist said:

https://thehill.com/policy/international/4899653-us-turkey-relations-s400-f35/

although i find erdo to be a somewhat deplorable human being…this isn’t a bad move by the biden admin.

On the broad matters of foreign policy, it seems we may be at a bit of the crossroads.  It's hard to say what happens, but this election will direct the ship.  Lots of policy squabbles over many things over many decades, but the U.S. has been international and institutionalist since at least the early post-war era.

Trump's rudderless transactionalism does, however, pose a threat to the order especially since he has captured so much of his party.  I don't know what happens if he gets elected.  Harris will maintain the order.  I don't know if she will be a good navigator, but I prefer the Biden continuation of historical order over Trumpist foreign policy.

[AlpineSummer]

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/antony-blinken-americas-strategy-renewal-leadership-new-world

A long, no paywall at the moment, essay by Sec. of State Blinken. Obviously, a biased argument for the Biden Admin.'s foreign policy and planning.  

I don't think many people realize how layered the foreign policy of 46 has been.  Agree or disagree on any specific components, it's a comprehensive strategic policy. 

A concise summary probably goes like this.  There is a battle going on between four main revisionist states (RU, China, NK, Iran) and other actors in concert vs. the U.S. led post-WWII international order.  It's more nuanced than democracy vs. autocracy/dictatorship, but that is an undercurrent.

For the Biden strategy, there are both domestic and foreign strands involved. The former involves domestic investment (CHIPS, Infrastructure, etc.) and maintaining the lead in direct foreign investment into the U.S.  The foreign part more complex, but basically the "strategy (was) to reinvigorate and reimagine the United States’ network of relationships."  

On that, renewed NATO and redirected EU policies re: China are key parts of a global framework.  In the East, the Quad (U.S., India, Japan, Australia) and "the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, which brings together 14 countries representing 40 percent of the world’s GDP to build more secure supply chains, combat corruption, and transition to clean energy." AUKUS adds another key defense alliance. Collectively, these balance off China in the region.  Back to Europe, there is the U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council to safeguard key, sensitive, and emerging technologies. 

There's a bunch more on parts of the globe often forgotten.  Blinken omitted the Sub-Saharan strategy produced a couple years back, but does reference African ports, developing nations' infrastructure (G-7 facilitation), and coordinated international efforts on matters of health and migration. Lots on the big items, mostly recapping China/Taiwan, Russia/Ukraine, and the Middle East.  Long read, but worth it  even if just to skim to recognize the depth and breadth. In this sound bite works, that's worth something. 

[gordonsolie]

I’ve always thought Joe had better foreign policy chops than any recent president besides Nixon. 
 

[AlpineSummer]

On 10/1/2024 at 10:28 AM, East Village Poltergeist said:

I’ve always thought Joe had better foreign policy chops than any recent president besides Nixon. 
 

A lot of rebuild and redirect has been undertaken.  Would hate to much go to waste.   

[Orange]

I’d like to think Harris paid close attention and learned from Joe regarding foreign policy strategy.   The fringe opinions aside, he’s largely acted with good faith and has broad knowledge of the world.