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THE PENTAGON’S NEW MAP – A HANDY GUIDE TO THE MUST-READ FOREIGN POLICY BOOK of 2004

Tom Barnett has written an exemplary book that enunciates something you very seldom see in American public debate – a long-term strategic vision for the United States that gets beyond the crisis de jure. Moreover, it’s a strikingly positive vision that can politically connect with the American public across party lines – ” Shrinking the Gap ” is a clarion call that can supported from liberal humanitarian interventionists to neocons to cold-hearted realists. As a paradigm, this is the Convergence of Civilizations, not the Clash.

Moreover, the PNM builds on the historic American commitment since FDR to freeing markets that every administration has supported since WWII. The Pentagon’s New Map, as a concept, represents both innovation for the post 9/11 world and reassuring continuity. Ted Rall and Michael Moore are going to hate it. So will Pat Buchanan. Everyone else however will be willing to give Barnett’s ideas at least a serious look.

A Quick and Dirty Guide to PNM Terminology:



The Core: The industrialized, connected to the information economy, mostly peaceful, rule of law abiding, liberal democratic world.

The Old Core: The heart of the core, the old G-7/NATO/Japan states led by the United States.

The New Core: Those modernizing states that decided to join the Core in the 1980’s and 1990’s – these are not always as liberal, democratic and law-abiding as the Old Core but they have more or less irreversibly committed to moving in that direction – China, India, South Korea, Mexico, Brazil and the like.

The Gap: The Third World regions mostly disconnected economically and politically from the Core. Hobbesian in character, ridden by violence, oppression, poverty and anarchy. Ruled by despots- when ruled by anyone- committed to keeping their nations disconnected as a political survival strategy.

Rule Sets: The explicit and implicit rules that provide the framework by which nations interact and function internally. There is a clash of rule sets between the Gap and the Core and within the Core between Europe which mostly cannot and will not intervene in the Gap to enforce rules and the United states which can and sometimes must.

Connectivity: The degree of acceptance of globalization’s many effects and the ability of a nation’s individuals to access choices for themselves. Most international hotspots are in the most disconnected parts of the Gap.

Global Transaction Strategy: Barnett’s equivalent to ” Containment” – a national and Core strategy to ” Shrink the Gap ” by connecting and integrating into the rule sets of the Core.

I am going to discuss some of Dr. Barnett’s more specific observations and recommendations – and where I see caveats – in a subsequent post but overall the PNM is a book that will have an intellectual impact that will be both broad and deep.

KERRY-EDWARDS

John Edwards was added to the ticket because he meets the prime requirement of any vice-presidential candidate – ” First, do no harm “. He brings none of the inevitable difficulties or ego of a Hillary Clinton or a John McCain nor is Edwards a tired and colorless retread

In addition, Edwards, despite his slick trial lawyer background has never detached from his southern roots and he can still ” speak Bubba ” to a region that views the Democratic nominee with suspicion. Given that Kerry is the epitome of a stereotypical limosuine liberal and cold and arrogant Yankee moralist, Edwards bring much needed charm and warmth to the Democratic ticket. In practical terms, Edwards can bring little else to the table having had virtually no impact on any substantive national issue whatsoever – something of an advantage because it leaves very little record – barring unrevealed skeletons – for GOP operatives to attack except youth and inexperience ( which will stick because Edwards looks like he might be about 30). I don’t see Edwards having much of an effect either way on the election unless he makes an unexpected gaffe.

Not a bold choice but from Kerry’s perspective the most attractive safe choice.

DOH !

I just realized that my comments have not been enabled since Blogger jazzed up their system. I’ve changed the setting to let any of you make free with your remarks at my expense.

THE NEXT DCI

President Bush is said to be closing in on his nominee to replace George Tenet as Director of Central Intelligence. By statute the DCI is the head of the Intelligence Community (IC) as well as director of the CIA itself though in practice only the strongest CIA chiefs have had anything more than nominal control over the other intelligence agencies. William Casey, as DCI, had cabinet rank and was a close adviser of President Reagan – virtually able to run his own foreign policy independent of the State Department, negotiating secretly with King Fahd of Saudi Arabia and Zia ul-Haq of Pakistan. By contrast, James Woolsey could not even get an appointment to see President Clinton.

The IC at this critical juncture does not need a caretaker. A strong hand is needed at the CIA who has the political ” juice ” to walk into the Oval Office at a moment’s notice – both to implement critical reforms over bureaucratic opposition and to revitalize the morale of an important and beleagured service. The War on Terror requires a spymaster who understands covert operations, military special operations troops and a commitment to ” jointness ” between the Pentagon’s uniformed ” shadow warriors” and the clandestine paramilitaries of the CIA’s special activities staff. The future requires a brilliant and innovative thinker who comprehends technological verges and won’t shrink from a radical restructuring of the entire IC so that it functions like an interdependent network instead of a collection of bureaucratic fiefdoms.

It’s going to be a difficult choice. Few of the names mentioned meet all of the above criteria though the list does include some Washington insider heavyweights. A bold choice, not a strictly political one, is what the nation needs.

CALLING JIM BAKER, ROGER AILES, DAVID GERGEN, MIKE DEAVER…THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION BADLY NEEDS YOUR HELP !

Is there any doubt that the absolute worst aspect of the Bush administration is their inability to even try to put forth a positive image of their policies ????

A depressing report from the Mideast with commentary by Collounsbury.