Also, there is no difference between MAGA's Christian Nationalism and the BJP's Hindutva. Both are cruel, oligarchical, oppression, under the color of religion.
One thing most Americans, to include myself until recently, don’t know about is how yoga and meditation aren’t as benign as you would think. There is a lot of nationalism in yoga and faux spirituality of cultish proportions. I defer to the book Conspirituality and it’s authors or their podcast.
Another thing I would say most people, not just Americans, do not know what the world looks like because the common globe is not accurate.
It makes Chinas staging in Senegal and some near by islands make more sense when you look at how it brings proximity to the US and creates a smaller defense area between Africa and Brazil, potentially allowing ports in South Africa to remain open (If BRICS becomes hostile).
I am no shipping expert but the distance from China to Brazil by boat may be shorter from the Atlantic than from the pacific.
All valid points and one thing for certain is that we are long overdue to build integrity based relationships with our neighbors in the Americas. No one wants to become a tributary state to China.
The US’s history in Latin America 2/2 interventions to stymie communism/socialism has left a lot of resentment that will be hard to undo.
In particular without a coherent and bipartisan policy that transcends political transitions. Corruption is part of the culture so it will be important to compile lessons learned in Ukraine by organizations like AntAC.
In particular when this organization was demonized by GOP operatives like Rudy Giuliani, who position themselves to personally profit from the existing corruption.
George Soros demonization by the party of law and order quickly becomes a sad joke when you poke around and notice ex-high ranking intelligence officers joining the grift abroad.
Personally I think it stems from the arrogance that was generated from America’s post Cold War global supremacy. This kind of mentality only hurts our interests in the long term because it imports corruption while making our international partners cynical 2/2 the hypocrisy.
And to quote Henry John Temple, Lord Palmerston: "We have no eternal allies, and we have no perpetual enemies. Our interests are eternal and perpetual, and those interests it is our duty to follow." It is in the strategic interests of the United States to pursue improved relations with India even if to some Narendra Modi may be a bit unsavory. To quote another great Democrat President, FDR, in discussing Nicaragua's Anastasio Somoza: “Somoza may be a son of a bitch, but he’s our son of a bitch.”
My friend, I stated in the article that an improved relationship is desirable, but we need guarantees of improved democracy just as Modi has certain demands as well.
Modi is not “a bit unsavory.” A look at his career shows him as a dishonest and thuggish racist, wielding power brutally.
During the Cold War, as one example, we partnered with several thugs. Today’s world is not bilateral and so, if we are a global leader, then we must also lead towards the humanity of our national principles.
I would suggest the relationship between India and the US has long been in need of a reset if not a complete overhaul particularly since with a population of 1.43 billion people India is one of the few functioning democracies in a part of the world not known for democratic polities. However, just because Narendra Modi does not fit the stereotype of the Oxford-educated European Parliamentarian should not be used as a straw man argument to derail a long overdue restructuring of the bi-lateral relationship between Washington and Delhi. Or to quote another famous Texan, LBJ, "It's probably better to have him inside the tent pissing out, than outside the tent pissing in."
Doc, I believe you missed one of the primary points of this article, that Modi is not running a functioning democracy and as that I have read the Indian Constitution, it’s clear that he is tearing down Indian democracy. He’s eroding several constitutional rights, if not outright ignoring them and strategically, has far more common interests with the world’s most serious/ ruthless threats.
We must think bigger and expect more from unproven allies and partners.
Global improvement in all areas identified in our NSS, has not only been stymied but the decade plus of global fascism, has eroded at least a decade of progress.
Can’t comment too much on the nat Sec issue.
One thing most Americans, to include myself until recently, don’t know about is how yoga and meditation aren’t as benign as you would think. There is a lot of nationalism in yoga and faux spirituality of cultish proportions. I defer to the book Conspirituality and it’s authors or their podcast.
Another thing I would say most people, not just Americans, do not know what the world looks like because the common globe is not accurate.
https://www.discovermagazine.com/environment/finally-a-world-map-that-doesnt-lie
It makes Chinas staging in Senegal and some near by islands make more sense when you look at how it brings proximity to the US and creates a smaller defense area between Africa and Brazil, potentially allowing ports in South Africa to remain open (If BRICS becomes hostile).
I am no shipping expert but the distance from China to Brazil by boat may be shorter from the Atlantic than from the pacific.
All valid points and one thing for certain is that we are long overdue to build integrity based relationships with our neighbors in the Americas. No one wants to become a tributary state to China.
The US’s history in Latin America 2/2 interventions to stymie communism/socialism has left a lot of resentment that will be hard to undo.
In particular without a coherent and bipartisan policy that transcends political transitions. Corruption is part of the culture so it will be important to compile lessons learned in Ukraine by organizations like AntAC.
In particular when this organization was demonized by GOP operatives like Rudy Giuliani, who position themselves to personally profit from the existing corruption.
George Soros demonization by the party of law and order quickly becomes a sad joke when you poke around and notice ex-high ranking intelligence officers joining the grift abroad.
Personally I think it stems from the arrogance that was generated from America’s post Cold War global supremacy. This kind of mentality only hurts our interests in the long term because it imports corruption while making our international partners cynical 2/2 the hypocrisy.
And to quote Henry John Temple, Lord Palmerston: "We have no eternal allies, and we have no perpetual enemies. Our interests are eternal and perpetual, and those interests it is our duty to follow." It is in the strategic interests of the United States to pursue improved relations with India even if to some Narendra Modi may be a bit unsavory. To quote another great Democrat President, FDR, in discussing Nicaragua's Anastasio Somoza: “Somoza may be a son of a bitch, but he’s our son of a bitch.”
My friend, I stated in the article that an improved relationship is desirable, but we need guarantees of improved democracy just as Modi has certain demands as well.
Modi is not “a bit unsavory.” A look at his career shows him as a dishonest and thuggish racist, wielding power brutally.
During the Cold War, as one example, we partnered with several thugs. Today’s world is not bilateral and so, if we are a global leader, then we must also lead towards the humanity of our national principles.
Paul,
I would suggest the relationship between India and the US has long been in need of a reset if not a complete overhaul particularly since with a population of 1.43 billion people India is one of the few functioning democracies in a part of the world not known for democratic polities. However, just because Narendra Modi does not fit the stereotype of the Oxford-educated European Parliamentarian should not be used as a straw man argument to derail a long overdue restructuring of the bi-lateral relationship between Washington and Delhi. Or to quote another famous Texan, LBJ, "It's probably better to have him inside the tent pissing out, than outside the tent pissing in."
Doc, I believe you missed one of the primary points of this article, that Modi is not running a functioning democracy and as that I have read the Indian Constitution, it’s clear that he is tearing down Indian democracy. He’s eroding several constitutional rights, if not outright ignoring them and strategically, has far more common interests with the world’s most serious/ ruthless threats.
We must think bigger and expect more from unproven allies and partners.
Global improvement in all areas identified in our NSS, has not only been stymied but the decade plus of global fascism, has eroded at least a decade of progress.