Despite such warnings, neo-imperialists believe America is exceptional because it is a democracy and harbors no lust for territorial gain, but offers instead an attractive imperium. There need be, therefore, no counterbalancing activity. Though, with hindsight, it was obviously a mistake to think that the Middle East wanted democracy. There are also other grounds for questioning such early optimism.
First, as we learned on September 11, 2001, absolute military security does not exist. Second, the U.S. economy moves on an unsustainable track that has undermined American economic sovereignty. It is not just the military debacle in Iraq and the geopolitical setbacks suffered by American diplomacy. In some ways, more troubling are the indicators of economic underperformance; the reliance on foreign borrowing; the loss of Wall Street’s global dominance in financial services to the city of London; and the dollar falling to record lows.
Third, according to former National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski, attending the NATO summit in Latvia in late 2006, America’s policy in Iraq has damaged its stature on the world stage. Fourth, America remains militarily vulnerable, despite its overwhelming power, because its primary enemy is not a state, susceptible to deterrence, influence, and coercion. Instead, that opponent is a resurgent, radical Islam. Fifth, at such a crucial time, many countries seek to counterbalance U.S. power. This can be seen quite clearly at the United Nations and in the renewed ties between Russia and China. On the other hand, America’s rapprochement with India is directed at the issue of China.
Is the growth in the military budget a pointer, merely reflecting China’s growing wealth and prestige? But why missiles with a range to hit Japan? Japan’s relations with China are much improved in the shadow of historical grudges. Japan’s new prime minister broke the ice with a trip to Beijing. But the Sea of Japan remains a very dangerous place. In theory, the U.S. Sixth Fleet polices the region. Yet the Japanese worry whether or not a weakened, post-Iraq America will stand by them if and when the storm comes. Article 9 of Japan’s pacifist constitution restricts the country to pure self-defense on its own territory. Not for much longer. Are we about to witness an arms race between the two countries holding the greatest stashes of reserves in the world? China has 1,000 billion dollars; Japan has 915 billion dollars.
