Recently, Obama’s national security team went to Munich to unveil the new administration’s approach to America’s relations with the rest of the world. As the NYT reports,
In return for making nice on climate change, reaching out to Iran, shutting down the military prisons at Guantanamo, pledging not to torture, and sundry other things which the Bush administration wouldn’t do, the Obama administration will expect Europe to give things to the United States that it denied Mr. Bush. (NYT)
I certainly have no idea about politics, international relations, and most likely whatever else is required for this type of relationships. Further, I’m probably way too naive in my interpretations and reasoning. Nevertheless, I raise a question. Shouldn’t the US government be concerned about climate change, talk to Iran, close Guantanamo and other secret prisons, not torture simply because it is the right thing to do? I think, this is a sufficient justification to quietly act without conditions.
I conserve some hope that somewhere between the brains of Obama’s national security team and the words of the NYT article, thoughts have altered their semantics, like in Chinese whispers.
Addendum: Make sure to read the comments to the article. I have read the first 34 (oldest first) and I think there is just one I agree with. Interestingly, it is the first, and in this set the only, to be marked as Editor’s Selection.