Future looks bleak for the good old US of A
By NewHampster on November 23, 2008 at 9:15 AM in World News
US global dominance ‘set to wane’
That according to my best source, the BBC. As usual I doubt we’ll see this headlined on an American site or news reading show.
Basically the once every 4 years, NIC Report (The National Intelligence Council) says that due to many circumstances, we will still be the leader but with a much diminished role. The way I read the report is that they wanted to give Obama all the excuses he needs before he even takes office. Will we ever have high expectations again?
I’d love to hear what our resident intelligence guy thinks of the report.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7741049.stm
US economic, military and political dominance is likely to decline over the next two decades, according to a new US intelligence report on global trends.
The National Intelligence Council (NIC) predicts China, India and Russia will increasingly challenge US influence.
It also says the dollar may no longer be the world’s major currency, and food and water shortages will fuel conflict.
However, the report concedes that these outcomes are not inevitable and will depend on the actions of world leaders.
Does the world have any leaders other than Sarcozy anymore?
Washington will retain its considerable military advantages, but scientific and technological advances; the use of “irregular warfare tactics”; the proliferation of long-range precision weapons; and the growing use of cyber warfare “increasingly will constrict US freedom of action”, it adds.
Nevertheless, the report concludes: “The US will remain the single most important actor but will be less dominant.”
It really does sound scary.
The EU is meanwhile predicted to become a “hobbled giant”, unable to turn its economic power into diplomatic or military muscle.
A world with more power centres will be less stable than one with one or two superpowers, it says, offering more potential for conflict.
Global warming, along with rising populations and economic growth will put additional strains on natural resources, it warns, fuelling conflict around the globe as countries compete for them.
“Strategic rivalries are most likely to revolve around trade, investments and technological innovation and acquisition, but we cannot rule out a 19th Century-like scenario of arms races, territorial expansion and military rivalries,” the report says.
“Types of conflict we have not seen for a while – such as over resources – could re-emerge.”
The last line, by the writer, brings a smile back to my face.
The NIC does, however, give some scope for leaders to take action to prevent the emergence of new conflicts.
“It is not beyond the mind of human beings, or political systems, [or] in some cases [the] working of market mechanisms to address and alleviate if not solve these problems,” said Thomas Fingar, chairman of the NIC.
And, our correspondent adds, it is worth noting that US intelligence has been wrong before.
Yeah, I first posted this on my blog Partizane.com
by Ronald Scott
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