More or less agreed, Danian. Regarding global clout, I definitely can't argue that the United States' standing -- in terms of credibility, trust, integrity, you name it -- has bottomed out. And when I suggested that American military might and political influence could squash an Iraqi rebellion, I should have been clearer: I meant that in terms of full-scale, broad combat, the US and its waning allies could supress most any enemy (or the open civil war you hypothesized).Danian said:While the White House has the sheer might, I'm afraid that it's lost some of the global clout it used to have. The tactics of late have focused far more on brute strength than on diplomacy. The White House does not have the ability to end the rebellion. If it did, it would've done so a lot sooner to solidfy its re-election bid as well as start preparing us for the next phase in the Global War on Terror. Fortunately, most of the negative of this campaign has been largely directed at and personified in GWB and his administration rather than leveled against the country. For the most part, people all over the world still have some respect for the USA. When GWB & company finally depart the political arena (whether in 2004 or 2008), some of the darker aspects of our current situation will depart with them. Unfortunately, if Kerry wins the election, he will have much to do to repair our global impression and political power. He will be too distracted to take care of other business. Ultimately, in terms of building a power base, it may be more beneficial for the Democrats to lose the coming election, watch as things get worse internationally and domestically, and have overwhelming support for 2008 and beyond. (That last statement pertains only to Democratic political power, not for what's good for the country or the world. Think strategic long term.)
But I agree... the insurgency and general unrest in Iraq? The ongoing mess of warring factions, power vacuums, and Taliban and Al Qaeda remnants in Afghanistan? And, it follows, the continuing threat of terrorism worldwide? I don't believe the current administration has near a deft enough hand to solve those problems, and uneasily, I'm not convinced a Kerry administration would either -- though I won't have any trouble casting my vote.