WPR's The New Rules: U.S. Must Engage With World Beyond Security Threats

Monday, November 21, 2011 at 10:37AM
Thomas P.M. Barnett in Africa, China, Iran, LATAM, Long War, Middle East, US, WPR Column

Thanks to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 and the two wars they spawned, it seemed like the near entirety of President George W. Bush’s two terms in office were characterized by efforts to define, harness and exploit fear. Despite living in the most peaceful, prosperous and predictable period in world history, Americans became convinced that they faced an unending era of war, impoverishment and chaos. That muddled mindset put us painfully out of touch with the rest of the planet.

Read the entire column at World Politics Review.

Article originally appeared on Thomas P.M. Barnett (https://thomaspmbarnett.com/).