In viewing the future with what has become the New Axis of Evil - China, Russia, North Korea, Iran - it is imperative that we understand why we differ. We differ because of our fundamental values.
Consider the current level of cooperation amongst these evil countries in Ukraine wherein Russia is buying ballistic missiles and drones from Iran (and supplying nuclear weapons tech in return), buying ballistic missiles, heavy howitzer ammunition, and now troops from North Korea (and also supplying nuclear weapons tech in return); and buyuing chips from China amongst a myriad of other military support.
Western democracies are founded upon the belief that governments exist and draw their power from the freely given consent of the governed and that governments exist to serve the interests of the governed.
The New Axis of Evil believes their governments are empowered by the barrels of guns. Mao articulated this clearly: "Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun." These governments demand the subjugation of their people.
When the gulf dividing us is so fundamentally and grossly different, what is the imperative that we cooperate with these despotisms? Why should we? Should we ignore their mutual support in attacking peaceful countries - Ukraine and Taiwan?
We are currently at war - ideologically and now on the Internet and in space - with all of these despotic regimes and have been for years. We have fooled ourselves into believing that if we allow these despotic regimes to join international organizations they will slowly temper their evil views and become more like us. After more than 50 years that experiment is still a resounding failure.
What has served us well is the sentiment contained in George Kenan's Long Telegram from Moscow wherein American policy since Truman was to confront the Soviet Union wherever it may be found. This is what broke the USSR and paid a peace dividend, not trade and not global cooperation.
The collapse of the USSR was a financial failure and it is important to know that because our opposition to the New Axis of Evil has to be founded upon finance, economies, and global trade.
The US market is the greatest plum as to international trade in the world and we must use access to it as a blunt weapon.
We have to constantly assess who our friends are in the world and act accordingly. If you believe climate change is a real problem, a global problem, then you cannot give China - building coal plants at an alarming rate - a seat at the table. They are the problem.
As to the SWIFT system, there is a reality the post failed to address. What is moving through the SWIFT system is US dollars. The entire global energy industry is settled in USD.
The only national currency that has sufficient float - enough currency to absorb the massive amount of currency moving through the system -- is the USD.
There have been several attempts to create a basket of currencies to supplant the USD in the energy business and as the world's reserve currency (the currency in which a country holds its most precious sovereign reserves for safety - China holds US Treasuries).
The second critical element is trust. SWIFT works because it is trusted. The blockchain attempts to replace trust with certainty of documentation and an unassailable record of trustless transactions.
SWIFT, the USD, the world's reserve currency, western democracies, the United States of America are all founded on trust.
What is the greatest failing of the New Axis of Evil - nobody trusts these deadly, bloody, evil bastards.
It is misguided to believe that the western democracies can bridge a gulf in values and trust of the magnitude that exists between us and the New Axis of Evil.
Why should be try? What is the benefit to western democracies?
Thank you as always for reading and for your comments.
I appreciate your perspective, but I don't categorize China alongside Russia, North Korea, and Iran. While Russia's ambitions often exceed its capabilities, leading to agitation, China focuses on internal stability and growth without exporting its system. Unlike Russia, Iran, and North Korea, China isn't funding terrorism; instead, it seeks consistent trade and respect, particularly from the U.S. By understanding China's domestic priorities, the U.S. can manage this relationship while strengthening ties with India.
I do agree with your points about SWIFT, the U.S. dollar, and the importance of trust in global financial systems. SWIFT's reliability and the U.S. dollar's role as the world's reserve currency are indeed underpinned by a foundation of trust and stability. This trust is crucial, as it ensures seamless international transactions and economic cooperation. While alternative systems face significant hurdles, maintaining this trust remains essential for sustaining U.S. financial influence globally.
Great thought provoking post. Thank you, Ben.
In viewing the future with what has become the New Axis of Evil - China, Russia, North Korea, Iran - it is imperative that we understand why we differ. We differ because of our fundamental values.
Consider the current level of cooperation amongst these evil countries in Ukraine wherein Russia is buying ballistic missiles and drones from Iran (and supplying nuclear weapons tech in return), buying ballistic missiles, heavy howitzer ammunition, and now troops from North Korea (and also supplying nuclear weapons tech in return); and buyuing chips from China amongst a myriad of other military support.
Western democracies are founded upon the belief that governments exist and draw their power from the freely given consent of the governed and that governments exist to serve the interests of the governed.
The New Axis of Evil believes their governments are empowered by the barrels of guns. Mao articulated this clearly: "Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun." These governments demand the subjugation of their people.
When the gulf dividing us is so fundamentally and grossly different, what is the imperative that we cooperate with these despotisms? Why should we? Should we ignore their mutual support in attacking peaceful countries - Ukraine and Taiwan?
We are currently at war - ideologically and now on the Internet and in space - with all of these despotic regimes and have been for years. We have fooled ourselves into believing that if we allow these despotic regimes to join international organizations they will slowly temper their evil views and become more like us. After more than 50 years that experiment is still a resounding failure.
What has served us well is the sentiment contained in George Kenan's Long Telegram from Moscow wherein American policy since Truman was to confront the Soviet Union wherever it may be found. This is what broke the USSR and paid a peace dividend, not trade and not global cooperation.
The collapse of the USSR was a financial failure and it is important to know that because our opposition to the New Axis of Evil has to be founded upon finance, economies, and global trade.
The US market is the greatest plum as to international trade in the world and we must use access to it as a blunt weapon.
We have to constantly assess who our friends are in the world and act accordingly. If you believe climate change is a real problem, a global problem, then you cannot give China - building coal plants at an alarming rate - a seat at the table. They are the problem.
As to the SWIFT system, there is a reality the post failed to address. What is moving through the SWIFT system is US dollars. The entire global energy industry is settled in USD.
The only national currency that has sufficient float - enough currency to absorb the massive amount of currency moving through the system -- is the USD.
There have been several attempts to create a basket of currencies to supplant the USD in the energy business and as the world's reserve currency (the currency in which a country holds its most precious sovereign reserves for safety - China holds US Treasuries).
The second critical element is trust. SWIFT works because it is trusted. The blockchain attempts to replace trust with certainty of documentation and an unassailable record of trustless transactions.
SWIFT, the USD, the world's reserve currency, western democracies, the United States of America are all founded on trust.
What is the greatest failing of the New Axis of Evil - nobody trusts these deadly, bloody, evil bastards.
It is misguided to believe that the western democracies can bridge a gulf in values and trust of the magnitude that exists between us and the New Axis of Evil.
Why should be try? What is the benefit to western democracies?
JLM
www.themusingsofthebigredcar.com
Jeff,
Thank you as always for reading and for your comments.
I appreciate your perspective, but I don't categorize China alongside Russia, North Korea, and Iran. While Russia's ambitions often exceed its capabilities, leading to agitation, China focuses on internal stability and growth without exporting its system. Unlike Russia, Iran, and North Korea, China isn't funding terrorism; instead, it seeks consistent trade and respect, particularly from the U.S. By understanding China's domestic priorities, the U.S. can manage this relationship while strengthening ties with India.
I do agree with your points about SWIFT, the U.S. dollar, and the importance of trust in global financial systems. SWIFT's reliability and the U.S. dollar's role as the world's reserve currency are indeed underpinned by a foundation of trust and stability. This trust is crucial, as it ensures seamless international transactions and economic cooperation. While alternative systems face significant hurdles, maintaining this trust remains essential for sustaining U.S. financial influence globally.
Very interesting and insightful. Perhaps even a little positive. Welcome that!