By Gideon Rachman
Published: January 5 2010
Ever since 1945, the US has regarded itself as the leader of the “free world”. But the Obama administration is facing an unexpected and unwelcome development in global politics. Four of the biggest and most strategically important democracies in the developing world – Brazil, India, South Africa and Turkey – are increasingly at odds with American foreign policy. Rather than siding with the US on the big international issues, they are just as likely to line up with authoritarian powers such as China and Iran.
The US has been slow to pick up on this development, perhaps because it seems so surprising and unnatural.
Phi Beta Iota: “Systemic Failure” includes the White House, Congress, the media, and so on. The reality is that America has been a dumb Nation getting by on its military might and the ability of corporations to get away with murder (literally). That's over. America has no strategy, no savings, no intelligence worthy of the name, and no one willing to tell the President that good alternatives–faster, better, cheaper alternatives–do exist.
