In my lifetime as a “boomer,” I have not seen the confluence of such incendiary threat vectors to our democracy and freedom as we have on the world stage today.
At this juncture, our immediate actions going forward will make the difference between a good life or an ugly life for our children and grandchildren.
Unfortunately, we live in a world with Middle Eastern terrorists and “wacko dictators” like Putin and Xi Jinping who have zero regard for humanity and are “not our friends.”
Just as we have strife within the US between the “haves & have nots,” the same dynamic operates internationally. (More below on how to make things better.)
Attacks against freedom & democracy as evidenced in Ukraine, coupled with increasing threats by China to Taiwan, (more below), and Iran’s threat of “soon” obtaining a nuclear weapon, are the immediate existential threats.
Minimizing/managing the threats below will allow the freedom and resources to more effectively address the calls for managing climate change. It reminds me of the old saying, “It is difficult to remember the objective is to drain the swamp when you are up to your ass in alligators.”
WHAT AM I ASKING OF YOU? All should –
Consider the issues below and how they may affect your future.
Communicate your concerns with your elected officials, if you see the issues threatening your family.
Continually monitor national and world events.
Share these and other concerns with friends.
The IRAN NUKE DEAL – Risk: As Putin is doing, do we want to be “blackmailed” by a terrorist state?
The race to finalize a deal is being overshadowed by the Ukraine war. Moreover, Russia formally represents US interests (HA!) at the negotiating table! Today, Russia is threatening NUCLEAR action to keep others out of Ukraine. What do you think IRAN will do once it obtains its NUCLEAR weapons?!?
The US Congress has no visibility to ongoing negotiations, thus, no understanding to what the administration may be committing the US. Recent reports are that the agreement would allow Iran to sell its excess enriched uranium to Russia – the country that is threatening use of nuclear weapons! Another aspect is that the US may remove Iran’s Revolutionary Guard from the Terror Blacklist. This would allow more funding for the terrorist force!
Even as new negotiations are underway, Iran continues aggressive hostile actions against democratic entities. One of the most ridiculous and harmful aspects of the original agreement is the fact that it did not couple any conditions to curtail the continued Iranian terrorist activity. Today, Iran is the most prominent of state sponsored terrorism.
THE VALUE OF TAIWAN – Risk: Do we want China to disrupt our tech supply chain, and stunt our tech development?
Off-shore production strategies have made Taiwan the biggest manufacturer of semiconductors. The US leads in the design of semiconductors, but the factories reside elsewhere. The initiatives to build factories in the US are good. However, the factories will take 3 to 4 years to come online.
Taiwan is very attractive to China for its economic value. Can you see Xi Jinping rationing semiconductors to democratic nations?
ENERGY – Risk: Do we want to be dependent on bad actors for our energy, and thus our economic prosperity?
Are you concerned about energy? I know my natural gas heating rates increased 48 percent. Sure, I can afford to pay a little more. However, there are many who are/will be hurt.
A global leader needs energy independence. What does that mean? It means the US should aggressively pursue domestic production of ALL FORMS of energy. There is ABSOLUTELY no reason to be begging Venezuela, Iran, or the Saudis to pump more oil for the US.
HOW TO MAKE THINGS BETTER – Become a world leader in peace by developing prosperity for all!
Foster new entrants to the Abraham Peace Accords. Were I asked, “Who are some of the fiercest enemies on the globe?” I would have to say Israel and their local Middle Eastern foes. Listen to Netanyahu’s testimony (above link) on the Accords – we now have collaboration among foes!
Create and support strong economic engines operating within free markets. Strong economies raise all boats!
Promote and implement opportunities for building prosperity among disadvantaged constituencies, both US and internationally. It is good business! The way to a better future is by “increasing the size of the pie,” not reallocating wealth.
Promote and support a “warp speed” effort to regain energy independence.
Promote and support a strong military – peace through strength. It can never be said that the US is, or has been, an imperialist nation. To lead, the US must be strong.
Please note that I am not addressing North Korea, Covid, nor the current inflation that many may consider within the threat list. I am happy for anyone to suggest an alternative happy outcome for the US under these circumstances. If offered, please provide the reasoning.
2 thoughts on “The Confluence of Threat Vectors: Iran, Russia, & China”
IRAN NUKE DEAL: Treaty or no treaty? Do we think an agreement for the production of enriched uranium by the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism would warrant a treaty? In crafting important “state” agreements with world nations, the US typically details the pact in a treaty. President Obama’s administration did not pursue a treaty with the original agreement, and now President Biden’s administration is also bypassing treaty options.
What is the issue? A treaty requires approval by our US Senate representatives. The old and current agreement under negotiation, (as Russia negotiates on behalf of the US, because Iran will not have the US at the negotiating table), were not/and are not on a “treaty track.”
What does that mean to John Q. Public? This means that a handful of people within the current administration are making decisions on one of the most impactful agreements affecting the US population, RATHER THAN having yours and my Senators evaluate the risks and rewards. The current glide path could be cataclysmic. BTW, many people criticize former President Trump for exiting the old agreement. Right or wrong, had it been a treaty, the exit would not have been so simple.
As the US Department of State says, “Treaties and other international agreements are written agreements between sovereign states (or between states and international organizations) governed by international law. The United States enters into more than 200 treaties and other international agreements each year.” (https://www.state.gov/policy-issues/treaties-and-international-agreements/)
The WSJ article The Long Arc of Historical Progress discusses historian Anne Applebaum’s Atlantic article. One of her quotes: “There is no arc of history, nothing inevitable about either democracy or dictatorship. What happens tomorrow depends on what all of us do today.”
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The Confluence of Threat Vectors: Iran, Russia, & China
At this juncture, our immediate actions going forward will make the difference between a good life or an ugly life for our children and grandchildren.
Unfortunately, we live in a world with Middle Eastern terrorists and “wacko dictators” like Putin and Xi Jinping who have zero regard for humanity and are “not our friends.”
Just as we have strife within the US between the “haves & have nots,” the same dynamic operates internationally. (More below on how to make things better.)
Consider the issues below and how they may affect your future.
Communicate your concerns with your elected officials, if you see the issues threatening your family.
Continually monitor national and world events.
Share these and other concerns with friends.
The race to finalize a deal is being overshadowed by the Ukraine war. Moreover, Russia formally represents US interests (HA!) at the negotiating table! Today, Russia is threatening NUCLEAR action to keep others out of Ukraine. What do you think IRAN will do once it obtains its NUCLEAR weapons?!?
Here is a recent article from THE HILL discussing doubts by both parties on moving forward with the renegotiation. https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/598835-lawmakers-skeptical-of-biden-effort-to-resurrect-iran-nuclear-deal
The US Congress has no visibility to ongoing negotiations, thus, no understanding to what the administration may be committing the US. Recent reports are that the agreement would allow Iran to sell its excess enriched uranium to Russia – the country that is threatening use of nuclear weapons! Another aspect is that the US may remove Iran’s Revolutionary Guard from the Terror Blacklist. This would allow more funding for the terrorist force!
Even as new negotiations are underway, Iran continues aggressive hostile actions against democratic entities. One of the most ridiculous and harmful aspects of the original agreement is the fact that it did not couple any conditions to curtail the continued Iranian terrorist activity. Today, Iran is the most prominent of state sponsored terrorism.
Off-shore production strategies have made Taiwan the biggest manufacturer of semiconductors. The US leads in the design of semiconductors, but the factories reside elsewhere. The initiatives to build factories in the US are good. However, the factories will take 3 to 4 years to come online.
In 2020, Taiwan manufacturers accounted for more than 60% of total global [semiconductor manufacturing] revenue last year. https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/16/2-charts-show-how-much-the-world-depends-on-taiwan-for- semiconductors.html
Taiwan is very attractive to China for its economic value. Can you see Xi Jinping rationing semiconductors to democratic nations?
Are you concerned about energy? I know my natural gas heating rates increased 48 percent. Sure, I can afford to pay a little more. However, there are many who are/will be hurt.
A global leader needs energy independence. What does that mean? It means the US should aggressively pursue domestic production of ALL FORMS of energy. There is ABSOLUTELY no reason to be begging Venezuela, Iran, or the Saudis to pump more oil for the US.
Foster new entrants to the Abraham Peace Accords. Were I asked, “Who are some of the fiercest enemies on the globe?” I would have to say Israel and their local Middle Eastern foes. Listen to Netanyahu’s testimony (above link) on the Accords – we now have collaboration among foes!
Create and support strong economic engines operating within free markets. Strong economies raise all boats!
Promote and implement opportunities for building prosperity among disadvantaged constituencies, both US and internationally. It is good business! The way to a better future is by “increasing the size of the pie,” not reallocating wealth.
Promote and support a “warp speed” effort to regain energy independence.
Promote and support a strong military – peace through strength. It can never be said that the US is, or has been, an imperialist nation. To lead, the US must be strong.
2 thoughts on “The Confluence of Threat Vectors: Iran, Russia, & China”