| |
Major Site Upgrade in Progress |
 |
|
 |
|
Shahla
Money Managing Guru
Joined: 13 Nov 2004
Posts: 3324
Cash Points ££ 126163.28
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2007 5:27 pm Post subject: Global GeoPolitical Realignment and the Decline of the USA |
 |
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
The United States has been defeated in Iraq. That doesn't mean that there'll be a troop withdrawal anytime soon, but it does mean that there's no chance of achieving the mission's political objectives. Iraq will not be a democracy, reconstruction will be minimal, and the security situation will continue to deteriorate into the foreseeable future.
The real goals of the invasion are equally unachievable. While the US has established a number of military bases at the heart of the world's energy-center; oil output has dwindled to 1.6 million barrels per day, nearly half of post-war production. More importantly, the administration has no clear strategy for protecting pipelines, oil tankers and major facilities. Oil production will be spotty for years to come even if security improves. This will have grave effects on oil futures; triggering erratic spikes in prices and roiling the world energy markets. If the contagion spreads to the other Gulf States, as many political analysts now expect, many of the world's oil-dependent countries will go through an agonizing cycle of recession/depression.
America's failure in Iraq is not merely a defeat for the Bush administration. It is also a defeat for the “unipolar-model” of world order. Iraq proves that that the superpower model cannot provide the stability, security or guarantee of human rights that are essential for garnering the support of the 6 billion people who now occupy the planet. The mushrooming of armed groups in Iraq, Afghanistan and, now, Somalia foreshadows a broader and more violent confrontation between the over-stretched American legions and their increasingly adaptable and lethal enemies. Resistance to the imperial order is on the rise everywhere.
The United States does not have the resources or the public support to prevail in such a conflict. Nor does it have the moral authority to persuade the world of the merit of its cause. The Bush administration's extra-legal actions have galvanized the majority of people against the United States. America has become a threat to the very human rights and civil liberties with which it used to be identified. There's little popular support for imprisoning enemies without charges, for torturing suspects with impunity, for kidnapping people off the streets of foreign capitals, or for invading unarmed sovereign nations without the approval of the United Nations. These are fundamental violations to international law as well as commonly held principles of human decency.
The Bush administration defends its illegal activities as an essential part of the new world order; a model of global governance which allows Washington to police the world according to its own discretion. The vast majority of people have rejected this model and polls clearly indicate declining support for US policies nearly everywhere. As former Jimmy Carter National Security Advisor, Zbigniew Brzezinski noted:
“American power may be greater in 2006 than in 1991, (but) the country's capacity to mobilize, inspire, point in a shared direction and thus shape global realities has significantly declined. Fifteen years after its coronation as global leader, America is becoming a fearful and lonely democracy in a politically antagonistic world.”
http://www.marketoracle.co.uk/Article494.html |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Online Finance Tools & Calculators |
 |
| Credit Score Calculator |
Easy to use online Credit Scoring tool - Calculate your credit score now online for FREE ! using the Moneyforums.co.uk credit scoring tool. Also TEN Tips on improving and mainting a good credit rating ! |
|
| Quick Health Calculator |
Easy to use quick health calculator to help you get started on the path to fitness. Calculates your body mass index (BMI). |
|
| "When will I die ?" Calculator |
Calculate when will you die based on your current life style and then more importantly what you can do about extending your lifespan ! |
|
| Mortgage Calculator |
Easy to use online Mortgage calculator tool - Calculate how long it will take to pay off your mortgage and what your monthly repayments will be as well as interest charged per month per each year. |
|
| Savings Calculator |
Use the flexible savings calculator to estimate the amount of interest you would earn given a level of monthly savings, with many optional settings. |
|
| UK Tax Calculator |
Check your tax and NI liability using this easy to use online tool. Outputs, Tax, Ni, Net pay and gross pay on an annual, monthly and weekly basis, also estimates your tax burden and the number of days a year you work for the tax man ! Plus lots of tax saving tips. |
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
Money
Forums Guides |
|
| Credit
Card Stoozing |
The
following guide explains the basics of credit
card stoozing in a step by step basis. |
|
| Discount
Vouchers |
Online
discount vouchers giving upto
50% off in stores such as Dixons,
Tesco, Avon, Currys, Boden and more. Many
of the vouchers are time limited - So check
back regularly |
|
| Money
Saving Guide |
Guide
to saving money on household bills & personal
finances - Start saving thousands of £'s
every year TODAY ! |
|
| Savings
Tree |
A
guide to Savings Accounts, from Cash ISA's to
Regular Savers to Premium Bonds, all explained
in an easy to understand manner. |
|
|
Users
Groups | Profile
| Messages
| FAQ | Sponsers
& Links | Member
list | Recommend this site | Top Money Saving Sitee
© 2004 - 2007 Moneyforums.co.uk / Market Oracle Ltd - Asserts copyright on all topics & posts made on this site. Moneyforums are open forums, and thus posts are NOT endorsed by Moneyforums.co.uk / Market Oracle Ltd . Any and all information provided within the Website is for general information purposes only and nor is or shall be deemed to constitute, financial or other advice. We recommend that independent professional advice is obtained before you purchase any product and/or service. All tools and guides are provided as is for general information purposes only.
|
|
|
