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www.mikeforster.net Last Updated 3 August 2002 |
Mike
Forster's Position Papers |
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Position Papers |
US Must Respect International Viewpoints Mike Forster, Palo Alto California To ultimately achieve success long-term, the US must respect and work with the viewpoints of other nations and international organizations.
US actions, especially military ones, that US administrations regard as US self-interest are often and correctly viewed by the world community as US arrogance. Because of its military strength, the US can act with impunity - but it should not. Arecent example is President Bush's proclamation in the War on Terrorism - that other countries are either with us or against us. This leaves no room for other nations to agree with us that terrorism must be fought and minimized, but to disagree with us on the approaches and actions that would best achieve those ends.
The US should actively and visibly promote the rule of law in international activities, even when such law may limit the perogatives of US action. In the short term, this could slow progress towards minimizing terrorism and other threats to the US and the world. In the longer term, it will build a stronger and more cohesive world community around the ideals that the US promotes.
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