Posted by Dan Ewert : 10/08/2002 12:25:00 AM (Archive Link)
I often read complaints about America’s use of force and its willingness to use its military in situations. They, especially the Europeans, walk around feeling superior because of the peace they have and which they’ve achieved through their own diplomacy. This is nonsense. The entire world is currently living in the Pax Americana. The global population is experiencing a period of unusual peace and stability because the United States is here to provide it. America’s force and threat of force (real, implied, or imagined) keeps those with violent ambitions at bay. Rest assured, there would be far more war and suffering in the world if the aggressors didn’t have an outright fear of America’s might. This is true as it applies to Iraq or even China. If the U.S. were to dissolve tomorrow, the planet would be plunged into chaos as formerly timid nations went on the offensive against their neighbors and old rivalries were reignited. Those who only talk and credit their talk for peace fool themselves. Aggressors don’t respect talk… but they fear force.