Ambassadors to Washington warn that the GOP-Democratic divide is endangering America’s national security.

When I asked the European ambassador to talk to me about America’s deepening partisan divide, I expected a polite brushoff at best. Foreign diplomats are usually loath to discuss domestic U.S. politics.

Instead, the ambassador unloaded for an hour, warning that America’s poisonous politics are hurting its security, its economy, its friends and its standing as a pillar of democracy and global stability.

The U.S. is a “fat buffalo trying to take a nap” as hungry wolves approach, the envoy mused. “I can hear those Champagne bottle corks popping in Moscow — like it’s Christmas every fucking day.”

As voters cast ballots in the Iowa caucuses Monday, many in the United States see this year’s presidential election as a test of American democracy. But, in a series of conversations with a dozen current and former diplomats, I sensed that to many of our friends abroad, the U.S. is already failing that test.

          • NoneOfUrBusiness@kbin.social
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            10 months ago

            I meant: They try to expand their borders. That’s also really bad. But they don’t have much interest in land or resources half a world away.

            • theprogressivist @lemmy.world
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              10 months ago

              So, your argument is that it’s okay to be a little imperialistic? Even though you were shitting on the US for…being imperialistic. Lol

              But they don’t have much interest in land or resources half a world away.

              Sudan and Djibouti would like a word with you.

              • NoneOfUrBusiness@kbin.social
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                10 months ago

                So, your argument is that it’s okay to be a little imperialistic?

                Nope. It was that some people would have it better if the US were to be superseded by China as the global power. Of course many others would have it worse, mainly Europeans and Asians, but that doesn’t mean nobody would have it better.

            • alabasterhotdog@lemmy.ca
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              10 months ago

              You’ve proved with that comment that you don’t really know what you’re talking about. Belt and Road initiative?

              • NoneOfUrBusiness@kbin.social
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                10 months ago

                Okay I’m usually not the biggest fan of China but the Belt and Road initiative doesn’t seem very imperialistic to me. At least nothing close to what the West has been doing for the past 70 years after colonialism had supposedly ended.