OP-ED: Aid at the Point of a Gun, By ROBERT D. KAPLAN, May 14, 2008

I like this idea right up to the predictable point where he proposes the league of Western democracies using invasion as a threat to prod those valueless local powers (India, China) into blackmailing the junta.

I don't think that sort of pressure works. Gotta create win-wins where local powers get lion's share of acclaim.

To me, that would be real Fifth Generation Warfare: get the effect you want with junta, draw out India and China in ways where they feel like winners, get aid delivered, etc.

Recreating Cold War brinkmanship here is unhelpful. We won't get the outcomes we want and we'll be rightfully accused of politicizing a tragedy--just like the junta.

The true 5G warrior wants the effect, with credit buried.