U.S. Isolationism?CNN (
Poll: More Americans want off world stage) reports that according to a new Pew poll, "The public's belief that the United States should mind its own business internationally has reached levels not seen since after the Cold War ended more than a decade ago.." Are we seeing a new spirit of isolationism?
U.S. & The InternetShould the United States give up control of the Internet? That’s the subject of a heated debate taking place this week at the
World Summit on the Information Society in Tunis. The European Union is pressing for a U.N. role in governing the Internet, which is currently in the hands of a U.S. nonprofit. In the "
Seven Questions: Battling for Control of the Internet," published in
Foreign Policy, Professor Lawrence Lessig breaks down the debate and argues the Internet is already in good hands.
U.S. & Japan
President Bush has embarked on an Asian tour, stopping first in Japan to confer with that important American ally (
Japan Today - Bush calls Japan bedrock of Asia freedom, Koizumi one of his best friends). In "
America's New Strategic Relationship with Japan," Christopher Preble, director of foreign policy studies at the Cato Institute, writes:
With the U.S. facing numerous other military commitments abroad, and with Japan increasingly asserting military autonomy, the Bush administration is to be commended for shaping a new policy that will more equitably distribute security burdens between the two countries. A new strategic relationship should provide a more durable and credible foundation for addressing the most pressing security challenges facing both countries in East Asia and beyond.
Should the U.S. ask Japan to assume greater responsibility for defense and regional security? Is there a danger that an increased regional role for Japan, supported by the U.S., would not be welcomed by other regional powers?
