December 9, 2022 (Friday) On Wednesday, December 7, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III hosted the defense ministers of Australia and the United Kingdom at the Pentagon to discuss the Australia–United Kingdom–United States Security Partnership, called AUKUS.
Thank you for bringing us up to date about AUKUS, Five Eyes, the Quad and the African American Union. These are topics not often covered in such depth. Biden’s experience and expertise in foreign affairs is definitely showing in how he’s maneuvering to make sure that the US is seen as an ally and global force for good.
The strategic acumen and intelligence at work in the Biden administration, deftly applied to international relations for the good of the nation and indeed the safety and well being of the entire world, is wonderful to behold. The contrast with the brash, destructive incompetence of the previous administration in this arena is breathtaking!
MANOHMANOHMAN Anyone who does not see and appreciate all that President Biden has been doing for the U.S. and the world is, in my dad's words, ¨a numbskull¨.
President Biden and his appointed leaders in foreign affairs have been doing a wonderful job restoring and elevating US foreign relations. Even so, the United States lags behind other countries. There has always been a lack of cultural sensitivity and expertise that leads to the sobriquet of the "ugly American".
I personally speak about Africa and SE Asia. I was in Uganda in the Peace Corps from 1968-1972 thru the Idi Amin coup. I now am retired living in Bali, Indonesia. United States foreign policy in SE Asia and Africa has been never been what you might call leading edge. In the case of Vietnam, truly a disaster. And there is the US interference in Indonesian politics leading to the Suharto government.
We can be dismissive of some of the "ugly Chinese" foreign investments and policies, but the size of the investments and projects dwarfs anything from the United States. For instance, the Chinese and Japanese are helping with construction of high speed rail. The high speed rail will be a $90+ billion investment. And the high speed rail is nothing the United States can even do since there is no high speed rail in the United States (so sad). The high speed rail on the island of Java should transform the island into an economic powerhouse when it is completed.
From the ground up, the United States could learn more from programs like Reach Uganda: https://reachforuganda.org/ Reach for Uganda has grown over the past 20 years into a substantive model for Uganda and maybe beyond. Kudos to Richard and Carol Burke with whom I served in the Peace Corps in Uganda for the years long effort that has established a sustained program important to people in Eastern Uganda. Reach for Uganda deserves all the accolades it receives.
The United States does not demonstrably prove that it is capable of the programs and investments the Chinese, Japanese and other Asian nations make in SE Asia or Africa. Time for the United States to leave behind the broadway Rogers and Hammerstein "South Pacific Bali Ha'i" understanding of other countries on all continents. Substantive investment projects are needed in Africa and SE Asia. At the local level programs that actually perform like Reach for Uganda are more what the programs should do. Less push on American ideals and values wouldn't hurt either. Those ideals and values will come naturally after showing American foreign policy, investment, and local efforts can walk the walk.
BUT, the Biden administration has definitely put their feet down in the right directions. Something that hasn't happened in ANY other previous administration. Let's hope the forward momentum and development of foreign policy, investment and local efforts expands and grows up.
Today's letter has me very hopeful that the US is repairing the Trump foreign policy disasters and some of Biden's misteps as well. America needs to coounteract China's inflence in the Indo Pacific and in Africa as well as Russia's influence in Africa through the Wagner Group providing "security" forces in several African counties. Many of theses countries in the emerging markets areas of the world have been leaning more towards authoritarianism and having worsening ethnic divisions. They are also facing the most damage from global warming and are undergoing the beginnings of the largest and most rapid demographic migrations due to food and water insecurity and excessive heat that the world has ever seen.
These are the places where there will be the most risk of human suffering, the most potential for economic development, and the highest risk of conflict all at once.
Today’s letter well illustrates the enormity, the complexity, of the job of the President of the United States. Joe Biden demonstrates once again he’s probably the sharpest tack in Washington at the moment. The front of a doddering, stuttering old man is just that; a front that lets Biden get out in front of his opponents.
Imagine Ron DeSantis, Ted Cruz, or any other Republican pretender to the presidency summarizing the details of US foreign policy in the western Pacific region as HCR has this morning ing in describing President Biden’s various foreign policy initiatives.
Excellent letter showing us how President Biden is bringing the world together in both military and economic alliances. Thank you for showing us the global interconnections. Impressive.
Yikes Heather. Do I really have to learn all those new acronyms? What an amazing trove of knowledge you've imparted on an area of the world that doesn't get a lot of attention but certainly deserves it. Nice to know that the Biden administration is doing such a comprehensive, total approach to touching all the bases around the globe. It will pay off, especially with those students who have will be studying in our country. The future is with education and youth. Bravo Joe and your State Department.
Thanks for this summary. Now please research and comment regarding investigations into the U.S. Pentagon's recent failed audit, its fifth failed audit in a row. In fiscal year 2022, the Department of Defense (DOD) had $1.64 Trillion distributed among its 6 sub-components. But each year hundreds of billions are virtually unaccounted for. The hawks are in charge of the coop without any demonstrable oversight or accountability.
I don't begin to understand the nuances of international trade, but it seems to me that China might not now be quite so worrisome to so many had the US had not so eagerly transferred tons manufacturing technology and capacity to China. Good for Biden for trying to encourage more US manufacturing. Too bad it's so late in the game.
In other words, the Biden administration is working to strengthen US relations and alliances with all nations that share our interest in peace, security and democracy in contrast to US politicians and administrations that have preferred unilateral go it alone policies or cozing up to authoritarian actors.
Foreign policy is complex. So many moving parts, so many threats real and potential to consider. We are in good hands with this administration, especially considering the dark forces aligned against democracies. The Biden administration is doing a first-rate job — far better than any others in years, regardless of party.
Though here in Germany, we are reeling from the uncovered putsch attempt by right extremists, it is really good to read this letter of good news. Thank you, Heather.
As our world shrinks, third world countries are finally breaking the clique-ish barriers of world alignment. The importance of world alignment will redefine political and economic discourse as geo-political tensions face challenges that the worlds people are beginning to awaken to. How we respond now as we begin to accept the utter waste of finite resources such as Putin’s Grab as being unacceptable will be the only opportunity to move forward from the Age of Enlightenment to the Age of Opportunity where we all matter. Power has led all ages of human political strife, defining who does and who does not. Political alliances will be cemented henceforth from aggregates, and those alliances comprised of all sizes will be the strongest.
Seems like months ago since we were discussing who would be speaker, but its only been a few days--was it really only last Tuesday that Warnock won?? Time flies.
CNN is finally reporting on the idea of Democrats working with a few Republicans to elect a moderate alternative to McCarthy. McCarthy seems ready to cave in to demands from his far right colleagues on rules changes and Committee assignments. If I was Hakeem Jeffries I would have a Repulican lined up and as many Dems as I could muster to vote for, for a first round knockout.
Thank you for bringing us up to date about AUKUS, Five Eyes, the Quad and the African American Union. These are topics not often covered in such depth. Biden’s experience and expertise in foreign affairs is definitely showing in how he’s maneuvering to make sure that the US is seen as an ally and global force for good.
The strategic acumen and intelligence at work in the Biden administration, deftly applied to international relations for the good of the nation and indeed the safety and well being of the entire world, is wonderful to behold. The contrast with the brash, destructive incompetence of the previous administration in this arena is breathtaking!
MANOHMANOHMAN Anyone who does not see and appreciate all that President Biden has been doing for the U.S. and the world is, in my dad's words, ¨a numbskull¨.
President Biden and his appointed leaders in foreign affairs have been doing a wonderful job restoring and elevating US foreign relations. Even so, the United States lags behind other countries. There has always been a lack of cultural sensitivity and expertise that leads to the sobriquet of the "ugly American".
I personally speak about Africa and SE Asia. I was in Uganda in the Peace Corps from 1968-1972 thru the Idi Amin coup. I now am retired living in Bali, Indonesia. United States foreign policy in SE Asia and Africa has been never been what you might call leading edge. In the case of Vietnam, truly a disaster. And there is the US interference in Indonesian politics leading to the Suharto government.
We can be dismissive of some of the "ugly Chinese" foreign investments and policies, but the size of the investments and projects dwarfs anything from the United States. For instance, the Chinese and Japanese are helping with construction of high speed rail. The high speed rail will be a $90+ billion investment. And the high speed rail is nothing the United States can even do since there is no high speed rail in the United States (so sad). The high speed rail on the island of Java should transform the island into an economic powerhouse when it is completed.
From the ground up, the United States could learn more from programs like Reach Uganda: https://reachforuganda.org/ Reach for Uganda has grown over the past 20 years into a substantive model for Uganda and maybe beyond. Kudos to Richard and Carol Burke with whom I served in the Peace Corps in Uganda for the years long effort that has established a sustained program important to people in Eastern Uganda. Reach for Uganda deserves all the accolades it receives.
The United States does not demonstrably prove that it is capable of the programs and investments the Chinese, Japanese and other Asian nations make in SE Asia or Africa. Time for the United States to leave behind the broadway Rogers and Hammerstein "South Pacific Bali Ha'i" understanding of other countries on all continents. Substantive investment projects are needed in Africa and SE Asia. At the local level programs that actually perform like Reach for Uganda are more what the programs should do. Less push on American ideals and values wouldn't hurt either. Those ideals and values will come naturally after showing American foreign policy, investment, and local efforts can walk the walk.
BUT, the Biden administration has definitely put their feet down in the right directions. Something that hasn't happened in ANY other previous administration. Let's hope the forward momentum and development of foreign policy, investment and local efforts expands and grows up.
Today's letter has me very hopeful that the US is repairing the Trump foreign policy disasters and some of Biden's misteps as well. America needs to coounteract China's inflence in the Indo Pacific and in Africa as well as Russia's influence in Africa through the Wagner Group providing "security" forces in several African counties. Many of theses countries in the emerging markets areas of the world have been leaning more towards authoritarianism and having worsening ethnic divisions. They are also facing the most damage from global warming and are undergoing the beginnings of the largest and most rapid demographic migrations due to food and water insecurity and excessive heat that the world has ever seen.
These are the places where there will be the most risk of human suffering, the most potential for economic development, and the highest risk of conflict all at once.
Today’s letter well illustrates the enormity, the complexity, of the job of the President of the United States. Joe Biden demonstrates once again he’s probably the sharpest tack in Washington at the moment. The front of a doddering, stuttering old man is just that; a front that lets Biden get out in front of his opponents.
Imagine Ron DeSantis, Ted Cruz, or any other Republican pretender to the presidency summarizing the details of US foreign policy in the western Pacific region as HCR has this morning ing in describing President Biden’s various foreign policy initiatives.
The thought makes me laugh too.
Excellent letter showing us how President Biden is bringing the world together in both military and economic alliances. Thank you for showing us the global interconnections. Impressive.
Yikes Heather. Do I really have to learn all those new acronyms? What an amazing trove of knowledge you've imparted on an area of the world that doesn't get a lot of attention but certainly deserves it. Nice to know that the Biden administration is doing such a comprehensive, total approach to touching all the bases around the globe. It will pay off, especially with those students who have will be studying in our country. The future is with education and youth. Bravo Joe and your State Department.
Thanks for this summary. Now please research and comment regarding investigations into the U.S. Pentagon's recent failed audit, its fifth failed audit in a row. In fiscal year 2022, the Department of Defense (DOD) had $1.64 Trillion distributed among its 6 sub-components. But each year hundreds of billions are virtually unaccounted for. The hawks are in charge of the coop without any demonstrable oversight or accountability.
Therein lies the largest crime of the century.
"Japan, too, worries about the power of China"
I don't begin to understand the nuances of international trade, but it seems to me that China might not now be quite so worrisome to so many had the US had not so eagerly transferred tons manufacturing technology and capacity to China. Good for Biden for trying to encourage more US manufacturing. Too bad it's so late in the game.
In other words, the Biden administration is working to strengthen US relations and alliances with all nations that share our interest in peace, security and democracy in contrast to US politicians and administrations that have preferred unilateral go it alone policies or cozing up to authoritarian actors.
Foreign policy is complex. So many moving parts, so many threats real and potential to consider. We are in good hands with this administration, especially considering the dark forces aligned against democracies. The Biden administration is doing a first-rate job — far better than any others in years, regardless of party.
This December 9 Letter and the comments provided a wealth of information completely new to me. Thanks, Heather and everyone!
Though here in Germany, we are reeling from the uncovered putsch attempt by right extremists, it is really good to read this letter of good news. Thank you, Heather.
As our world shrinks, third world countries are finally breaking the clique-ish barriers of world alignment. The importance of world alignment will redefine political and economic discourse as geo-political tensions face challenges that the worlds people are beginning to awaken to. How we respond now as we begin to accept the utter waste of finite resources such as Putin’s Grab as being unacceptable will be the only opportunity to move forward from the Age of Enlightenment to the Age of Opportunity where we all matter. Power has led all ages of human political strife, defining who does and who does not. Political alliances will be cemented henceforth from aggregates, and those alliances comprised of all sizes will be the strongest.
Seems like months ago since we were discussing who would be speaker, but its only been a few days--was it really only last Tuesday that Warnock won?? Time flies.
CNN is finally reporting on the idea of Democrats working with a few Republicans to elect a moderate alternative to McCarthy. McCarthy seems ready to cave in to demands from his far right colleagues on rules changes and Committee assignments. If I was Hakeem Jeffries I would have a Repulican lined up and as many Dems as I could muster to vote for, for a first round knockout.
Still dreaming my dream.
https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/09/politics/mccarthy-speaker-house-republicans-218/index.html