MAKING no apologies for the war in Iraq, the United States reaffirmed its strike-first policy of preemption and warned Iran could pose the biggest threat to US national security.
"We may face no greater challenge from a single country than from Iran," the White House said in a 49 page blueprint called The National Security Strategy of the United States of America.
The report drew up a balance sheet of what it called US President George W. Bush's foreign policy successes and remaining "challenges" like bloody violence in Iraq and tense stand-offs over nuclear programs in Iran and North Korea.
It also warned Russia that its ties with the West depend on democratic reforms, and urged China to embrace greater political freedom - while saying that Washington will "hedge" for the possibility this does not happen.
I think Jonh Bolton is absolutely right on the money, just not the way he intended it. Notice the word "challenge". Not threat, challenge. That's exactly what the US faces from Russia, Iran, Venezuela, China and others. A challenge to it's power. A loss of its ability to have its will be done in every corner of the globe. The countries towards which the US is agressive are, more often than not, challenges not threats. Challenges in terms of economy (China), ideology (Iran, Venezuela), politics (Iran), media (al Jazeera and Telesur) and so on.
Of course, as any monopoly worth it's salt will tell you, challenges must be eliminated and the monopoly maintained. In this case, the monopoly on power. More importantly, a monopoly on the
legitimate exercise of power. Europe has a similar mindset, though with a more diplomatic cover and softer approach. An example being how the mark of a "mature" nation, one that is "living up to its commitments" is measured by the number of foreign countries in which your troops are stationed.
