C. Blair
C. Blair
case china developing extreme inevitable slowly views
As is often the case when things are complicated, extreme views have superficial appeal. On the one extreme, some see China as an inevitable enemy that must be contained; on the other hand, there are those who see China as a slowly developing democracy that can be embraced.
You can't always get someone where you want to with just sticks. There have to be some carrots, there have to be some other shaping things.
consequences controlled countries force major rarely regions turns volatile
The use of large-scale military force in volatile regions of underdeveloped countries is difficult to do right, has major unintended consequences and rarely turns out to be quick, effective, controlled and short lived.
area asia both devout form societies southeast therefore tolerant
Southeast Asia is an area in which there is a form of Islam which is both devout and progressive, and therefore to be supported. It's an area in which I see a congruence of American interests and local interests: to have tolerant societies and become more prosperous.
advocate broad china dialogue diversity expose intense middle people sounds strong vice visits
I know it sounds Pollyannish and 'Kumbaya'-like, but I find that the more that you expose Americans to the diversity of what's going on in China and vice versa, the more people find that there is this broad middle path. And so I'm a strong advocate of intense visits and dialogue back and forth.
accidents al america approach causes deaths task toward violent
There are many causes of violent deaths in America - murders and traffic accidents - that we do not approach with the same 'no price too steep, no task too difficult' approach that we take toward al Qaeda.
caused industrial power shift shifting
The Industrial Revolution caused a centuries-long shift in power to the West; globalization is now shifting the balance again.
agencies among barrier fbi foreign intelligence mechanisms reforms solved
Before 9/11 there were weak procedures, willingness, and mechanisms for communicating among agencies for foreign intelligence and the FBI with its focus on law enforcement. The domestic-vs.-foreign barrier has been solved by the reforms after 9/11 that established the DNI.
admire bring change great inspirational leaders luther mandela martin muslim nelson nice religious smart
The leaders who we admire who have been able to bring great change in the past - Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela - they're all inspirational religious leaders and smart tacticians. It would be nice to find the Muslim Gandhi, wouldn't it?