US grows more isolationist, but the world still needs it

[unhappycamper]

http://www.bdlive.co.za/opinion/columnists/2014/01/22/us-grows-more-isolationist-but-the-world-still-needs-it

US grows more isolationist, but the world still needs it
by Gideon Rachman, 22 January 2014, 05:27

THE official theme for this year’s World Economic Forum is predictably bland — "Reshaping the World". But the unofficial slogan will be "America is back". Predictions that the US economy will grow 3% this year mean that Davos is likely to be bullish on the US for the first time in years.

But a revival of the US economy should not be confused with a resurgence of the US’s role as the "sole superpower". On the contrary, the most important emerging theme in world politics is America’s slow retreat from its role as global policeman.

Some of America’s closest partners now talk openly of a diminished US global presence.

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius recently gave a speech in which he said: "The US gives the impression of no longer wanting to get drawn into crises." As a result, he said, its allies are "increasingly factoring in their calculations … the possibility that they will be left to their own devices in managing crises". The reluctance of President Barack Obama’s administration to get involved militarily in the Syrian conflict has fuelled accusations that the US is pulling back from the Middle East.

[get the red out]

1. Fine with me

I wish that came along with a real push to take care of our own people though.

[JustAnotherGen]

2. Ditto on both counts

When a country/nation declares war on us - we can fight back. No more knee jerk reactions of getting dragged into endless war and ancient rivalries.