12-29-2004, 04:59 AM
A Grand Alliance
Let's Hope: That Bush can transform himself into a unifying global leader. Others have done so.
Zbigniew Brzezinski: 'A paradox haunts America'
By Zbigniew Brzezinski
Newsweek International
Issues 2005 - Before President Bush steps to the podium to deliver his second Inaugural Address, he should ask himself: what did Roosevelt, Churchill and Truman have in common? What was it that made them towering historical figures?
Though learned volumes have been written about each of these great men, the answer can be quite brief: they projected an inspiring sense of historical direction and confidence and, when faced with a historic challenge, they reached out even to political opponents to forge a joint commitment to a common cause. Unlike their enemies, they did not engage in fearmongering, nor in cheap sloganeering. And that is what elevated them into the democratic leaders of the free world.
Today, as during the last century, the world again needs America, but America also needs the world. The world will not be more peaceful or prosperous, and certainly not more democratic, if America isolates itself and turns its back on thoseâespecially its traditional European alliesâwith whom it shares truly fundamental democratic values. Nor will America be more secure if it transforms itself into a lonely fortress in a hostile world.
President George W. Bush is alert to this danger. As he put it on Aug. 4, "We actually misnamed the war on terror. It ought to be the struggle against ideological extremists who do not believe in free societies..." And he is absolutely right. But it also follows that this struggle must be pursued, not only militarily but politically as well, by a grand alliance of democratic states.
A central strategic priority flows from the above: only a revitalized alliance of America and Europe can undertake the monumental task of promoting actively the needed web of more equitable and cooperative global arrangements that isolates and then defeats the "ideological extremists who do not believe in free societies." Only the United States and the EU have the wherewithal to tackle the goal of constructively engaging the almost 5 billion Muslims, Indians, Chinese and others who have lately become politically awakened, who demand political dignity, who are intensely aware and resentful of global iniquities and whom the ideological extremists wish to mobilize. That is the cause that only a confident America can lead, believing once again that "we have nothing to fear but fear itself."
IN CLOSING
⢠Zbigniew Brzezinski: A Grand Alliance
The political awakening of the majority of mankind has put on the 21st century's agenda a fundamental choice: global turmoil or global community. Terrorism is only one symptom of turmoil. It would be tragically self-defeating if America reduced its global role to an antiterrorist operation. Such a narrow preoccupation would be exploited by states wishing to entangle America in a prolonged conflict with Islam as a whole.
A comprehensive effort to address global turmoil has to start with its vortex in the Middle East. It is doubtful that America by itself can resolve the interactive and lethal problems posed by the Israeli-Palestinian tragedy, the conflict in Iraq and Iran's national ambitions. On all of these issues, the EUâmore than anyone elseâis America's natural ally. That is why the reaffirmation of allied solidarity has to begin with an effort to launch a genuinely serious American-European strategic dialogue regarding joint political initiatives. Its object has to be shared decisions as well as shared burdens.
The world at large needs to hear a compelling voice that defines a global role for America that simultaneously inspires a shared vision, infuses historical confidence, restores credibility and widens consensus. Roosevelt, Churchill and Truman at one point were each politically very divisive and personally even despised figures. Yet each transcended himself when confronted by an almost apocalyptic encounter with destiny. So let us hope.
Brzezinski, a former U.S. national-security adviser, is author most recently of "The Choice: Global Domination or Global Leadership."
© 2004 Newsweek, Inc.
Let's Hope: That Bush can transform himself into a unifying global leader. Others have done so.
Zbigniew Brzezinski: 'A paradox haunts America'
By Zbigniew Brzezinski
Newsweek International
Issues 2005 - Before President Bush steps to the podium to deliver his second Inaugural Address, he should ask himself: what did Roosevelt, Churchill and Truman have in common? What was it that made them towering historical figures?
Though learned volumes have been written about each of these great men, the answer can be quite brief: they projected an inspiring sense of historical direction and confidence and, when faced with a historic challenge, they reached out even to political opponents to forge a joint commitment to a common cause. Unlike their enemies, they did not engage in fearmongering, nor in cheap sloganeering. And that is what elevated them into the democratic leaders of the free world.
Today, as during the last century, the world again needs America, but America also needs the world. The world will not be more peaceful or prosperous, and certainly not more democratic, if America isolates itself and turns its back on thoseâespecially its traditional European alliesâwith whom it shares truly fundamental democratic values. Nor will America be more secure if it transforms itself into a lonely fortress in a hostile world.
President George W. Bush is alert to this danger. As he put it on Aug. 4, "We actually misnamed the war on terror. It ought to be the struggle against ideological extremists who do not believe in free societies..." And he is absolutely right. But it also follows that this struggle must be pursued, not only militarily but politically as well, by a grand alliance of democratic states.
A central strategic priority flows from the above: only a revitalized alliance of America and Europe can undertake the monumental task of promoting actively the needed web of more equitable and cooperative global arrangements that isolates and then defeats the "ideological extremists who do not believe in free societies." Only the United States and the EU have the wherewithal to tackle the goal of constructively engaging the almost 5 billion Muslims, Indians, Chinese and others who have lately become politically awakened, who demand political dignity, who are intensely aware and resentful of global iniquities and whom the ideological extremists wish to mobilize. That is the cause that only a confident America can lead, believing once again that "we have nothing to fear but fear itself."
IN CLOSING
⢠Zbigniew Brzezinski: A Grand Alliance
The political awakening of the majority of mankind has put on the 21st century's agenda a fundamental choice: global turmoil or global community. Terrorism is only one symptom of turmoil. It would be tragically self-defeating if America reduced its global role to an antiterrorist operation. Such a narrow preoccupation would be exploited by states wishing to entangle America in a prolonged conflict with Islam as a whole.
A comprehensive effort to address global turmoil has to start with its vortex in the Middle East. It is doubtful that America by itself can resolve the interactive and lethal problems posed by the Israeli-Palestinian tragedy, the conflict in Iraq and Iran's national ambitions. On all of these issues, the EUâmore than anyone elseâis America's natural ally. That is why the reaffirmation of allied solidarity has to begin with an effort to launch a genuinely serious American-European strategic dialogue regarding joint political initiatives. Its object has to be shared decisions as well as shared burdens.
The world at large needs to hear a compelling voice that defines a global role for America that simultaneously inspires a shared vision, infuses historical confidence, restores credibility and widens consensus. Roosevelt, Churchill and Truman at one point were each politically very divisive and personally even despised figures. Yet each transcended himself when confronted by an almost apocalyptic encounter with destiny. So let us hope.
Brzezinski, a former U.S. national-security adviser, is author most recently of "The Choice: Global Domination or Global Leadership."
© 2004 Newsweek, Inc.