Arguably the greatest strategic gift offered by America to the world over the past several decades has been our consistent willingness to maintain a high and hugely expensive entry barrier to the “market” that is great-power war: first by deterring outright war with the Soviet Union during the Cold War, and then by maintaining a lopsided and unipolar military superiority in the post-Cold War period. However, a case can be made that in recent years, the greatest threat to this enduring component of global stability arises from within the United States itself -- namely, a national security establishment intent on pressing the boundaries of this heretofore rather sacrosanct responsibility.
Read the entire column at World Politics Review.
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 11:27AM 
Reader Comments (3)
<< Arguably the greatest strategic gift offered by America to the world over the past several decades has been our consistent willingness to maintain a high and hugely expensive entry barrier to the “market” that is great-power war: first by deterring outright war with the Soviet Union during the Cold War, and then by maintaining a lopsided and unipolar military superiority in the post-Cold War period.
>>
One could argue that the Soviets shared in giving this gift to the world, at the cost of
destroying their economy, deterrence was no one sided affair.
<<
However, a case can be made that in recent years, the greatest threat to this enduring component of global stability arises from within the United States itself -- namely, a national security establishment intent on pressing the boundaries of this heretofore rather sacrosanct responsibility.
>>
I agree with you there 100%. Especially at a time when America's abilities are more constrained this is rather destabilizing.
Referenced from: http://thomaspmbarnett.com/globlogization/2012/2/6/wprs-the-new-rules-slouching-toward-great-power-war-1.html#comments#ixzz1leBFY9Ay
Tom, well said. I wonder who in the White House/Military/State Department complex is behind this strategy. It seems to be rapidly unfolding toward fait accompli without adequate checks & balances, i.e. Congress. Thanks for your efforts!
As scary as it would be if he was moving things in this direction deliberately, I sometimes wonder if mistakes like this are a sign that the Presidency as an institution is over-worked? If, between the economy and healthcare and domestic politics, he's picked up so many things to worry about that everything else just has to glide on prior trajectories?