# U.S. Allies Should Rethink Their Allegiance to an Aggressive but Declining Superpower  ## Metadata - Author:: [[Shaun Narine]] - Full Title:: U.S. Allies Should Rethink Their Allegiance to an Aggressive but Declining Superpower - Category: #articles - URL: https://theconversation.com/u-s-allies-should-rethink-their-allegiance-to-an-aggressive-but-declining-superpower-207786?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20Canada%20for%20July%2010%202023&utm_content=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20Canada%20for%20July%2010%202023+CID_eb88ecd012fbf6f646c2647023499201&utm_source=campaign_monitor_ca&utm_term=US%20allies%20should%20rethink%20their%20allegiance%20to%20an%20aggressive%20but%20declining%20superpower ## Highlights > In its pursuit of permanent global domination, the United States has pushed the world towards unnecessary conflict, [especially via its two-decade “war on terror.](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/5/1/the-us-war-on-terror-20-years-after-mission-accomplished)” ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01h6c2cddwdzzybwdapdfw7cke)) > According to the Watson Institute at Brown University, the conflicts connected to the war on terror have killed [about 4.6 million people](https://watson.brown.edu/costsofwar/figures) since 2001. About a million have died in direct violence but the others — disproportionately women and children — have been casualties of political, economic and social instability in numerous countries that have been the target of the war on terror. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01h6c2ct51tpfnfh3tpffszjkd)) > The Watson Institute report explains why states targeted by the U.S. have reasons to fear American violence and interference. International law doesn’t necessarily constrain the U.S. — it’s often willing to abuse its power and privileges for political, economic and strategic advantage. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01h6c2e7rw0k25b52w7qktpc9a)) > China has done little to the U.S. [except to grow to an economic size and a level of technological innovation that challenges American global domination](https://canadiandimension.com/articles/view/pentagon-study-declares-american-empire-is-collapsing). ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01h6c2etky94924jmkmvpgsze2)) > American leaders apparently believe a country four times the population of the U.S. must remain forever subordinate to American power. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01h6c2fjwz8tpyd1wktd7mdwqm)) > Much of the world has refused to back western sanctions against Russia because, in part, [the West’s hypocrisy around issues of global violence and interference has undermined western credibility](https://quincyinst.org/2022/04/11/why-non-western-countries-tend-to-see-russias-war-very-very-differently/). ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01h6c2gc0tmygka59dzee7gtm7)) > Nonetheless, the U.S. has rallied its established allies against China. Canada has become an [American vassal](https://asiatimes.com/2023/03/biden-visit-makes-it-official-canada-is-a-us-vassal-state/), meaning it’s essentially dominated by the U.S. [Japan has increased its military spending](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/12/23/japan-unveils-record-defence-budget-amid-regional-security-fears). The European Union [has taken a harder line on economic and technological engagement with China](https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/europe-takes-tougher-stance-toward-china-in-boost-to-us-policy-1.1913902). ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01h6c2h3fk8fnsp7fp2jwrc15h)) > American allies are wilfully ignoring the extent of the [profound social, political and economic divisions](https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/united-states/trump-americas-coming-age-instability) within the U.S. and their implications for reliable and coherent American leadership and policy. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01h6c2jgqhyt8hrpfgg3ra85j3)) > [Domestic political instability](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/01/us/politics/richard-haass-biden-trump-foreign-policy.html) in the U.S. may eventually motivate even more aggressive American foreign policy. The U.S. has never shied away from the [politics of fear](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-united-states-independence-day-fear/) and the [exaggeration of threat](https://canadiandimension.com/articles/view/the-united-states-specializes-in-exaggerating-the-threat). Its escalating demonization and provocation of China is especially dangerous ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01h6c2jx0qcz1y3j538866crpf)) > U.S. allies need to learn the lessons of the war on terror and the 4.6 million people it’s killed. A leader needs followers. American allies could make their support of the U.S. conditional on a pledge to ease up on militarism and focus on greater global co-operation. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01h6c2kxpg3571rnvq0rqvg4ks))