Snowden possibly seeking asylum in Germany

[The Dharma Bum]

Well, after the Iron Curtain fell I think a new justification for US imperialism had to be crafted. That's an inherently brutal process.

During the cold war there, was in some respects, sort of an alignment of interests between the US and USSR in that each used the other as a bogeyman to influence their respective populations. That was in many ways a stabilizing factor, which is why we call the conflict the "cold war". However many other societies were negatively influenced by their contacts with either side. Afghanistan comes to mind.

That's where we found our new bogey man.

[gla22]

I'm sure the U.S. is currently in dialogue to prevent Germany from giving Snowden asylum. Russia a quasi dictatorship recognizing that the U.S. doesn't have the moral authority to prosecute Snowden is alot different than Germany, a very functional democracy and the leader of Europe recognizing the U.S. doesn't have the moral authority to prosecute Snowden.

If Germany grants Snowden asylum I believe Snowden would be safe in Germany. Germany wouldn't want to renege on its word,not just because of the huge outcry it would cause, but others in the future wouldn't be able to trust coming forward to German authorities with information critical to their national security interests.

And yeah, on what Dharma said, the U.S. is struggling to find a good rationale for its imperialism, now the bogeyman of terrorism is being crafted. Although radical Islam is a threat, it is mainly contained to countries in Asia, the ME, and Africa, the U.S. has little to fear from Islamic terrorism and our imperial endeavors only put ourselves at risk.

I also think that an internal justification for U.S. involvement in Iraq in Afghanistan is just to test our military and to provide our military with experience to ensure we stay the strongest militarily.

[Indy]

Well we ditched Afghanistan more or less because Rummy said there were "no good targets" and thus we went to Iraq, there which is frankly bizarre. Although it would fit into your scenario.

[Mr.Bill]

[eynon81]

[Indy]

Versus whom though? China decided back in the 1980s that they weren't going to fight us conventionally--which is why they've plunged headlong into cyberwarfare.

[eynon81]

[eynon81]

[Professor]

[Indy]