Tuesday, January 15, 2013

America's Troubled Allies



Three Troubled Allies, One Superpower -- Ian Bremmer, Wall Street Journal

Japan, Israel and Britain are facing big problems of their own just as the U.S. needs their help.

There are three big unfolding stories for international politics and the global economy: The next stage of China's rise, the continuing turmoil in the Middle East and the redesign of Europe. The three countries with the most to lose from these trends are, respectively, Japan, Israel and Britain. They also happen to be America's most reliable allies in the world's three most important regions. As 2013 unfolds, the special relationships that these countries enjoy with Washington won't protect them from the worst effects of these sweeping changes. That is also bad news for U.S. foreign policy.

The further expansion of China's political, economic and military power leaves Japan in an increasingly tough spot. The broadening and deepening of China's consumer market creates critical opportunities for Japanese companies, but Beijing's new assertiveness, particularly on territorial disputes involving Japan, is fueling nationalist anger inside both countries.

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My Comment: A sobering assessment .... read it all.

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