Massachusetts Institute of Technology Starr Forum: Whither US Grand Strategy With Panelists Barry Posen, Steve Walt, Frank Gavin, and Jacqueline Hazelton , moderated by Ken Oye.
Comments
I listened to this when you first posted it and it is the best panel I've listened to in ages.
What I like most is the calmness of Realists, and the positivity they show toward the US and our many natural gifts and advantages.
It really is striking, the calmness. It is so positive, the basic message, that the US is in better shape in its fundamentals than, really, any one else, and whatever we fear in a multipolar world, we still have the better of it at home. They also are fairly resigned to nothing really changing in the DC consensus in the short term, but that we will evolve in the long term.
I think this message of positivity and calmness is very important, especially for those struggling to "understand it all":
http://smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/art/a-tale-of-two-warriors-finding-bel…
You find belongingness in who you are, and in accepting the world, and understanding the good, IMO....
I don't want to say my experiences dealing with MS are the same as being a warrior, but I do understand how you have to rethink your own life sometimes, and that this takes work, and that understanding what is solid and true about your own situation is grounding.
I got a lot out of this panel. Thanks for posting.
Consider these slightly modified statements:
"Emperor Constantine moved the legions from the frontiers to one consolidated roving army -- as a way to save money -- and as a way to protect the wealthier Roman citizens within their cities. This grand strategy, however, would have costly effects on the Roman empire -- by weakening the frontier defenses -- and allowing these to become susceptible to outside armies coming in."
"Also, after the Roman armies departed, people who lived near the Roman frontier would begin to look to the barbarians for protection."
"Thus, Constantine abolished frontier security by removing the greater part of the soldiery from the frontiers to the cities -- cities that needed no auxiliary forces. Thus, while he deprived of help the people who were harassed by the barbarians -- and burdened tranquil cities with the pest of the military -- such that several straightway were deserted."
"Moreover, he softened the soldiers, who treated themselves to shows and luxuries. Indeed, to speak plainly, he personally planted the first seeds of our present devastated state of affairs."
Zosimus, 5th-century CE, historian.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_strategy (scroll down to "Roman Empire")
If we simply substituted, throughout these passages, "President Obama" for "Constantine" -- and "American" for "Roman" -- then what might we think of what may, indeed, be our current grand strategy?