The US is only just a country in a very big world

By China Watcher

On December 1, 2008, Mr. Obama introduced US Senator Clinton as the incoming US Secretary of State with comments that he had known Mrs. Clinton as a friend, a colleague, a source of counsel, and as a campaign opponent. He further praised her that she is a woman of extraordinary intelligence and toughness, with a remarkable work ethic. Additionally, he added that Hillary’s good networking with world leaders will help to command respect in every capitol and will also assist to advance US’s interests around the world.

Not too long ago, Obama’s description of the same woman was the exact opposite as someone whose diplomatic records was “thin” and overstated during the Democrat campaign for the US President.

Hillary Clinton promised to make the United States a new force for positive change, saying that as Secretary of State she would work with the world community to solve global crises. She said that the American people have demanded not just a new direction at home, but a new effort to renew America's standing in the world as a force for positive change. What force is she referring to? And does the world really want 300 million voters to decide their fate? The US is just a country in a very big blue world of 6 billion.

Let move across to the music scene. Why? Yes, there is connection to what I am trying to point out.

I am not a great fan of the Oasis pop group which was popular during the 90s. Liam Gallager, one its singers, admitted that he was confused as to why Oasis was not bigger in the US, because their Stateside tours sell-out in record time. He believed that they are not big in the US mainly because of their outrageous behavior and unorthodox attitudes. And his last comment was what captivated me. He said that the US is not the be all and end all for Oasis and the US is a country in a f***ing very big world, so if they don't like us, somewhere else will.

I do hope the policy-making “think-tank” behind China’s future political strategic plan is aware of this fact that the US political influence is on the decline, and the world is moving towards one which is not overly dominated by one power like it is now.