In an earlier article, we set forth Zbigniew Brzezinski four major questions as part of his introduction to “Strategic Vision, America and the Crisis of Global Power.” He then proceeds, at times superficially, to discuss the causes of the decline of America and Europe. Next he ventures to paint frightening possible scenarios on the international scene over the next thirteen years, all of which he believes requires further sacrifice by the USA in playing policeman to the world in almost every nook and corner.
To Brzezinski, without American wisdom, might and treasure as a protective shield, the child like other nations will never coalesce to deal with situations. Perhaps he is right, but his views are that of two generations of American leaders, in part hostage to the Military Industrial Complex, that lead to multiple disasters and thus we did not find them necessarily compelling.
Where the book takes off is in Brzezinski envisioning of the world post 2025. He sees the Eurasian land mass as dominant in the future, and considers it essential that both Russia and Turkey become part of a power block that includes the European Union, the United States and presumably Canada and Mexico.
He is terrified of the consequence of an Israeli or American attack on Iran and its alienating effect on the countries of the Middle East and near Africa. Through sanctions and persuasion, he envisions over time Iran playing an important role in a stabilized Mid-East. If Iran were to obtain Nuclear weapons, the USA and perhaps other nuclear powers “should make a public commitment to consider any Iranian attempt at intimidating or threatening its Middle Eastern neighbors as a threat against the United States.” We agree.
Vital to Mid-East / near Africa progress is the peaceful resolution of the long festering alienation of Israel and its neighbors and we would add domestically; a circumstance that without peace is likely result in disaster for Israel.
Brzezinski observes “Domination by a single state, no matter how powerful, is no longer possible, especially given the emergence of new regional players. Accordingly the timely and needed objective of a deliberate longer-term effort by America should b e broad geopolitical trans-Eurasian stability based on increasing accommodation among the old powers of the West and the new powers of the East.
“In essence, the pursuit of the foregoing objective will require US engagement in shaping a more vital and larger West while helping to balance the emerging rivalry in the rising and restless East. This complex undertaking will call for a sustained effort over the next decades to connect, in transformative ways, through institutions like the EU and NATO both Russia and Turkey with a West that already embrace both the EU and the United States.
“Steady but genuine progress along that axis could infuse a sense of strategic purpose into a Europe increasingly threatened by a slide into destabilizing and divisive geopolitical irrelevance. At the same time, America’s strategic engagement in Asia should entail a carefully calibrated effort to nurture a cooperative partnership with China while deliberately promoting reconciliation between China and US-allied Japan, in addition to expanding friendly relations with such key states as India and Indonesia.
“Otherwise, Asian rivalries in general or fear of a dominant China in particular could undermine both Asia’s new potential world role and its regional stability. The task ahead is to translate a long-term geopolitical vision into a historically sound and politically attractive strategy that promotes realistically the revival of the West and facilitates the stabilization of the East with a wider cooperative framework.”
Brzezinski expresses great admiration for the progress of Turkey in transforming itself into a modern nation and sees Turkey playing an essential future role by buttressing the European Union, helping to stabilize the Mid-East, a conduit to former Soviet nations in Asia, and as an example of a nation that can be both devoutly Muslim and also Westernized and a democracy. Europe turning its back on Turkey by excluding it from the European Union could bring about the opposite and dire effects.
Despite possible shortcomings in the earlier portion in which he sets forth a score of potential worldwide pitfalls, all of which he sees requiring US efforts, sacrifice and leadership to avoid, this book is an important read for those who want to look ahead towards the future. Brzezinski concentration and brilliance pertain to foreign affairs, and he should not be faulted for a possible disinclination to discuss the root causes of our domestic problems other than what he considers twenty years of lost opportunities and foolish wars.
Furthermore, we would not want to be overly critical of someone who fathered the attractive, knowledgeable, charming, and, to certain oldsters, sexy Mikka, co-host of “Good Morning Joe” on MSNBC.
