I love how that book blames America for failing to respond to many genocides committed far away from its borders - what other great power has ever done so, unless it was for their benefit?
As a non-American, we are fucking lucky that America not only doesn't extord us for loot (as any other empire would) but actually spends so much energy, lives and money keeping protecting us. I am personally really happy that Putin knows there will be consequences if he rolls west.
One could argue that the Roman Empire endured as long as it did because the pax Romana was preferable to the tribal warfare it displaced, even though the Romans may not have particularly cared about security of any given group within their sphere of influence. I'd argue that as the world shrinks long-term consequences manifest over shorter absolute timescales.
Why are you (and others) so negative about feedback? We can't get better at something unless we realize why we aren't doing it well.
> what other great power has ever done so, unless it was for their benefit?
Right, it's for their benefit. Not just morally, but economically and geo-politically.
Which is why we want to make sure we can stop the problem rather than watching the tragedy unfold as we powerlessly flail against ourselves. (ie, waiting until we label something a genocide before trying to help.)
> As a non-American, we are fucking lucky that America not only doesn't extord us for loot
They're generally happier to gain a stronger position than to be up a few bucks. It's long-term thinking.
> I am personally really happy that Putin knows there will be consequences if he rolls west.
Ditto, but these days I believe less and less than the USA would do anything. Or at least until it's too late.
Great point. Exactly what the book tackles. The US did not often intervene in the past because there was no direct benefit to do so.
Powers argues that this is changing. The international condemnation and uproar from citizens has political consequences for those in power and thus is enough to generate action.
The comment is ambiguous, it's not really clear if it's actually meant to be flippant or not. If you read it literally, the meaning is directly the opposite and still makes sense.
As a non-American, we are fucking lucky that America not only doesn't extord us for loot (as any other empire would) but actually spends so much energy, lives and money keeping protecting us. I am personally really happy that Putin knows there will be consequences if he rolls west.