New Rome

Résumé du document

French Minister Hubert Vedrine has admitted that since the fall of the Soviet Union's America is the only "superpower". The United States is no longer in competition with other countries. America seems to be invulnerable and rules over international relationships because of which America has been nicknamed "the world's policeman". Unfortunately, this invulnerability has become an illusion since the 09/11 attacks. After this tragic and traumatic episode, the United States realizes that their national interests, especially their national security, are threatened. Bush Administration, under the neo-conservative ideology's influence, revolutionizes the foreign policy and introduces a messianic conception based on military power. The American foreign policy is particularly influenced by the religious morals. The references to God, democracy and peace are very frequent. Richard Perle even talks about a "world of peace thanks to the American military power".

Extraits

[...] The United States is no longer in competition with other country. America seems to be invulnerable and rule over international relationships. Besides, America is nicknamed world's policeman”. Unfortunately, this invulnerability is an illusion since the 09/11. After this tragic and traumatic episode, the United States realizes that their national interests, especially their national security, are threatened. Bush Administration, under the neo-conservative ideology's influence, revolutionizes the foreign policy and introduces a messianic conception based on the military power. The American foreign policy is particularly influenced by the religious morals. [...]

[...] After Abu Ghraib, Washington must rebuild the American moral credibility. Consequently, America cannot support pro-American dictators. It is the case in Egypt where Moubarak fights against Muslim Brotherhood but where democracy is an utopia. This position is morally unsustainable. This is the American foreign policy's paradox : the perpetual hesitation between idealism and pragmatism. Moreover, Bush Administration must put a lot into israelo-palestinian conflict again. This violent clash catalyses all the resentments. In order to preserve its leadership, Washington must adopt a multilateral foreign policy. [...]

[...] Although a Chinese military intervention in Taïwan is improbable because of the Taïwan Relations Act which forces Washington to help Taïpei in case of attack, the tension is sometimes exacerbated in China's sea. The American foreign policy is confronted with an ambiguity. Washington strategically defends Taïwan but is economically dependent on China. Washington must be subtle in order not to offend Beijing. In retaliation, Beijing can exchange its American treasury bons for European single currency and cause a staggering economic crisis in the United States. Besides, the American interior economic interests are confronted with the foreign competition. [...]

[...] The American economic power is also threatened by the balance of trade's deficit. What is more, the social tensions in the United States are exacerbated because of a massive illegal immigration that's why Bush Administration has reinforced the control around the United States-Mexico border. The American military interferences in South America against drugs' Cartels (e.g. Cali's Cartel), especially in Colombia, permit to defend their national interest. In marginalized populations, drugs is all the rage and embodies a scourge which is at the origin of social tensions. [...]

[...] The United States' priority is to preserve the national interests thanks to a new strategy but this strategy is particularly difficult to define. Nonetheless, in The Great Chessboard, the clever intellectual and Carter's consultant Zbignew Bzrezinski formulates the most coherent work about the United States' power. In those lines, he explains how America must use of its economic, political and military powers in order to extend its hegemony. It is a very pertinent analysis which can inspire the American leaders. [...]