Thursday, August 29, 2019

The tariffs are about more than the economy

The post WWII world order is now being challenged by the autocracies of China, Russia, and Iran and their proxies in North Korea, Syria, and Venezuela. What is telling is that China, Russia, and Iran have significant historical and Ideological conflicts, but these are superseded by their common bond of autocratic control of power. Their common desire is to replace the Western liberal tradition based on individual freedom and equality with a new type of world order that makes the world safe for autocracies and to create a new global balance of power.

China does not seek a direct military conflict with the United States, but seeks to use its technological advances to achieve a global economic hegemony. A control of infrastructure in communication, transportation. artificial intelligence, aerospace, biomedicine, renewable energy, and advanced weapons systems as well as a global leadership in manufacturing and trade all could be used to achieve a predominant military position as well. Iran and Russia also have the energy and military resources with which to make other countries dependent. Their common tactics also show a disregard for ethical constraints. This is demonstrated by their support of North Korea, Syria, Venezuela, and terrorist groups as well as their own abuse of human rights and the persecution and extermination of opposition.

China -- The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly