The implications of Bush’s diplomatic debacle in Asia

[IndianaGreen]

The implications of Bush’s diplomatic debacle in Asia
By Barry Grey
25 November 2005

President Bush returned to Washington November 21 after a week-long, four-nation tour of Asia that underscored the crisis of his administration both at home and abroad. At the same time, Bush’s visit highlighted the US government’s determination to continue its aggression in Iraq and a diplomatic and military strategy aimed at countering the growing economic and political influence of China—a strategy that leads in the direction of a military confrontation with the rising Asian power.

At every stop on his tour, Bush was dogged by the consequences, both within the US and internationally, of the disastrous US military intervention in Iraq. What was intended to demonstrate the leading role of Washington in mobilizing its regional allies, particularly Japan and South Korea, against North Korea and, more crucially, China, turned into something of a diplomatic debacle. Bush was unable to achieve any of the major short-term US goals of the trip—both in relation to Washington’s key partners, Japan and South Korea, and its chief rival in the region, China.

Even worse, it was Bush who appeared isolated and weak, while President Hu Jintao flaunted the growing economic power and political influence of China. The Financial Times of London commented in an editorial entitled “The rise and decline of Pacific nations:” “President George Bush’s tour of Asia brings with it a palpable sense of declining US influence in the region.” The editorial concluded: “Even so, the waning of US influence in Asia should not become China’s chance to begin an ethics-free ascent to the status of a great power.”

Bush’s visit was bracketed around the weekend summit of the 21-nation Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC), held in the South Korean port city of Busan. He preceded his participation in the summit with a stop in Kyoto, Japan, and followed it with face-to-face meetings with Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jinbao in Beijing. On the way back to the US, he made a four-hour stop in Ulan Bator, the capital of Mongolia.

According to the scenario worked out for Bush by his handlers, the president was to establish the ideological and political framework for his Asian visit with a speech in Japan linking once again the “war on terrorism” with America’s supposed crusade for democracy and freedom around the world. The idea was to present the US as the international leader of the Asian democracies, headed by Japan—a propaganda construct designed to facilitate diplomatic pressure on both North Korea and China, and justify a series of initiatives launched by Washington to extend its military presence and effectively encircle the Chinese mainland.

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/nov2005/bush-n25.shtml

[teryang]

1. Good analysis of diastrous foreign policy

<Unfortunately for Bush, the bloody US occupation of Iraq and the accompanying exposures of US torture, secret gulags and the American practice of kidnapping and “disappearing” alleged terrorists have utterly discredited Washington’s pose as a force for democracy and peace. Moreover, his “democratic” ally, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, has inflamed tensions throughout Asia with his insistence on paying homage at the Yasukumi Shrine, which commemorates Japan’s war dead, including high-ranking war criminals from World War II.>

The notion that encirclement can be achieved with air bases in landlocked countries is a view favored by defense contractors but is strategically and tactically unsound. It is the relation between China and Russia that maintains Mongolian independence. The US has no ability to defend that country in a land conflict. Similarly it has no ability to present or maintain a threat or deterrent of any kind in an isolated Asian nation without blue water access. We are a maritime power not an Asian land power. We didn't win in Korea, we lost in Vietnam. We are taking a beating in Iraq. Apparently, there isn't a two by four big enough to beat sense into these people. Nineteenth century Rhodesian concepts born of colonialism aren't going to work with 21st century China.

The engagement portion of the formula involves the export of American corporate capital to cheap labor markets further undermining the tax base and economic strength of the country at the expense of the welfare of American citizens and the national security. Because these two policies put profits in the pockets of the top one percent elites, they are deluded into thinking that it strengthens our foreign policy. These policies are nothing less than diastrous.

[FloridaPat]

5. * - the one trick pony. But it's just s slight of hand trick as his new

democracies aren't and his war on terror is a war for terror.

[emald]

2. this ill-placed POS pResident

just continues ruining our country. When can we put this idiot in jail? He embarasses me, and our country I think, to the point of numbness.

[bvar22]

3. Another FAILURE added to the stack.

He won't be able to pull a "Gentleman's C".

WORST. PRESIDENT. EVER!

[glarius]

4. Perhaps if you think of it as a comedy called "The Road to Mongolia?"

Maybe not as funny as the old "Road To" pictures of Bob Hope and Bing Crosby, but....... :shrug:
Sorry for making light of it, but when I was watching his progress across Asia, and knew where he was ending up, that thought went through my mind....

[cliss]

6. This is much more serious than we realize.

If anyone cares to check out a related thread, look at "Chavez the Bush Baiter" in this forum.

The article explains that Chavez is trying to get Colombia to build an oil pipeline to the Pacific. If that happens, Chavez will be able to sell oil to China.

Humble prediction: watch World War 3 start right there, in our own back yard. Forget the Middle East. This one is going to blow sky-high.