Thomas P.M. Barnett :: Weblog

When Roe is gone, will abortionists be subject to execution?

I think I get the general thrust, holding to the 'no nucs' line will cost us immensely in the coin of influence, but I'm not sure I get the analogies employed here.

Can anyone parse this a bit for me?

ry: my read:

we screw up foreign aid by tying it too closely to abortion, an American moralism issue. this damages strategy, not least of all precluding a grand strategy that is willing to overlook smaller issues for bigger gains.

in the same way, we will screw up emerging market relationships if we obsess about nuclear WMD proliferation. it sure looks like everyone who can is going to (have to and want to) go nuclear (for power and to cut emissions). refusing to partner with them on our strict terms when Russia is more than willing to help on much easier terms only cuts us out of the deal, damaging our position and improving Russia's. so, if we hold this line, in the long run, we diminish our role in relating to emerging markets, including mentoring nuclear technology, and we enable Russia in a less stable role (and one less desirable for us). again, this damages strategy, not least of all precluding a grand strategy that is willing to overlook smaller issues for bigger gains.

think i've got it right?

Both the nut case nationalists and Core nation alarmists seem to love the nuclear WMD 'issues.'

Nobody of seems to talk about common technology processes that can produce materials like ricin that can make a very 'practical' and cost effective WMD. A well planned use of those type WMD products would bring chaos to globalization.

Yet nobody with much public visibility discusses these angles. Another item for Watson to ponder?