George, can I be frank? I mean, can I let you in on a secret without you going nuts? There are really no rational differences between the interests of States.
While we compete for resources and lament no practical framework for international justice when one rogue state screws somebody, altruistic cooperation is key to the world’s survival. Cooperation relies on altruistic punishment not hopes or delusions. Cameron was quick to deliver this logic to Pakistan as he talked about minimum requirements of joining the advanced world. Any association with terror is unacceptable. Too bad he instead chose not to say the same thing to a country already a NATO member wishing entry to the EU while they duplicitously enable the greatest threat to the West -Iran. Perhaps your PM should have asked Erdogan directly if he thought Valley of the Wolves was blood libel and a common value indicator for EU entrance.
Common morality, human rights and rejection of terrorism and oppression ARE the shared interest of nations unless they are up to no good. Even Russia, China and the West are moving slowly to this convergence.
Turkey played what role in the two Great Wars? What casualties have they sustained in Afghanistan and why? Who kept the Red Army off the streets of Ankara? Why would you think Turkey these days will protect Europe’s flank when they refuse to shoot at Muslims? Isn’t what you call divergent national interests what others rightly call damn unfriendly and ultimately quite negative on the West’s interests? Chevez just pursuing divergent national interests, Assad?
The best way to “unpick” the clash of civilizations is to negotiate with the moderate Muslim nations in the fashion Rubin suggests. Without common criteria, there will be little cooperation and as divergent interests become threats exposed, biological behavior will kick in.
I haven’t given up on the Brits yet. Maybe Cameron was just bettering up Erdogan for BP contracts. Maybe they just haven’t understood that today’s radical Islamist is yesterday’s fascist. I hope they come to their sense before its too late. The transformation is as Hitchens says……
Whether Obama or Cameron understand that or not…
Max NYC
