Little Worldly Love Likely For US During 2006

Yet relations between Washington and Ottawa and Mexico City today are sour, maybe even bitter, by any measure. To the west, across the Pacific, are Japan and Australia and, to the east, across the Atlantic, is the UK. The US' alliance with each seems strong but may be rooted more in personal relations between US President George W. Bush and prime ministers Junichiro Koizumi of Japan, John Howard of Australia and Tony Blair of Britain rather than in deep-seated national interests. Each has generated political opposition at home for being pro-US. Koizumi has said he will step down next fall. Howard has taken much heat from Australians who want assurances they will not be dragged into a war between China and the US. Blair's popularity has plummeted and his days in office may be numbered. These island nations are essential to US security as they sit off the Eurasian continent that is home to three quarters of the human race and most of the world's industry and wealth. Located in Eurasia are the only military powers -- China, Russia and North Korea -- that could threaten the US' global dominacne The Islamic swath from Morocco to the southern Philippines is the source of most anti-US terrorists. These three alliances are invaluable in international politics and are indispensable as military bases, whether temporary as in Australia or long-term in Japan and the UK. The UK especially plays a vital role in the shadowy world of intelligence. http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2006/01/01/2003286938

Note: http://www.taipeitimes....