Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Given America's unique world-leadership position, our limited economic
means, and the world's reliance on our military might, we need to choose our battles
thoughtfully. There are cases where the world supports our involvement (Darfur,
Kosovo, Afghanistan), and places where they don't (Central America and Iraq). We
can do whatever we want…but it sure makes things easier on everybody when we
wield our might with the support of our friends and allies.
Perhaps the EU wouldn't have so much money for its infrastructure if it had
to do its own fighting. But consider the flipside: By their judgment, sinking money
into their infrastructure rather than into their military is better for their long-term
security. In the European view, America is trapped in an inescapable cycle to feed
its military-industrial complex: As we bulk up our military, we look for opportun-
ities to make use of it. (When your only tool is a hammer, you treat every problem
like a nail.) And then, when we employ our military unwisely, we create more en-
emies…which makes us feel the need to grow our military even more. If an Amer-
ican diplomat complained to his European counterpart, “America is doing all the
heavy lifting when it comes to military,” the European might respond, “Well, you
seem to be enjoying it. We're building roads and bridges instead.”
Traveling affords a good opportunity to consider how American military might
has helped make our world a better place—and how it hasn't—and what kind of
fiscal and military policies make a society stronger and safer.
