Diplomatic Realism ?

I recently fell down a rabbit hole comprised of a cluster fuck of ideas and attitudes regarding how international relations between countries should be run according to the new direction our current Asshole in Chief has cozied up to. Since 1998 it has been known as Diplomatic Realism,  It's about a kind of Anarchy, but at the international level.

Instead of continuing to be the planet's top dog, it appears Trump wants to break down the division of power into three spheres of influence between China, the USA and of course Russia.

It is just a new twist on the expansionist mentality that was at its zenith during Teddy Roosevelt's, "speak softly but carry a big stick" period over 100 years ago. Nowhere have I yet read where India is positioned in this division of spoils. I assume Trump takes it for granted India will fall under China's umbrella. This of course assumes there is even a plan or just the usual MAGA dumasses making shit up.

Diplomatic Realism insists a country should worry about its own self interests before all others. Forming alliances are only formed it if there is a profit of some kind for the homeland.  Doing the right thing just because it is the right thing should not be part of any relationship with any other country. 

Trump and his self-interested cronies are definitely working the diplomatic game from a hard line view of Diplomatic Realism. They want to drop alliances that do not obviously help the interests of the USA. In other words, they want to keep doing what America has been doing internationally but without the fluff and PR tokenism we have successfully used for well over 100 years. No more carrots and but in the future, much bigger sticks.

What was once American Imperialism hiding behind the curtain of altruism we used to open doors with,  blunt force will do the job if threats don't do initially. Instead of massaging the shoulders of other countries to get what we want, we plan to become just another thug country that only shares with those countries who toe our line.

Trump and his clown circus are total losers who do not understand nor care that our Nice Guy Imperialism was working like a charm. They have now exposed the USA for the assholes we have been for years. Yeah, we have done good, major good over the years. In the end it has been for our benefit first and foremost. And that is as it should be. Finding a non-violent solution to national security is certainly the smarter move than flinging bombs and entrenching troops in thankless and stupid conflicts, uh ...oh wait, okay, okay, so we blew it a few times, but hey, we are only human and we meant well........ cough, cough.

Regardless of what we used to do diplomatically or what stupidity we used to unleash on any country we thought deserved it, it appears the Trump administration, along with his clown parade we know as Congress, have positioned themselves to up the ante and drop any notion of civility when dealing with other countries. The posturing, muscle flexing and intimidation in my opinion is the first evidence that even the Right is now aware our dominance is on the way out. They don't want to face the music. Eventually, they will have to. I just hope they don't hasten our downfall with the stupidity they have planned over the next few years.

Anyway, just a few thoughts on a subject I have only just recently set my mind to. I am sure once I think I have a better understanding of Diplomatic Realism and its possibilities, I will make adjustments to what I just wrote the next time I feel the need to bring up the subject.

Until then, please keep it 'tween the ditches ................................

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A song that wonderfully describes America's Imperialistic tendencies is , "America", written and recorded by Tracy Chapman. Her unique voice, musicianship and wonderful way with lyrics caught my attention back in the 1990s. "America" was slammed hard by the loud mouth Wingers of the day back then; proof that the Right's tendency to hate the truth is part and parcel of how they view the world they think they own.

Anyway, enjoy.