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.

  • theprogressivist
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    269 months ago

    Ah yes, because a world dictated by Russia or China is a much better alternative.

    • @Username02
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      49 months ago

      Or you’ll start seeing more strong man fighting over for regional supremacy. lol.

    • @Nudding
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      -69 months ago

      If you think the only country stopping Russia from taking over the world is America, your opinions are about 50 years outdated lol.

    • NoneOfUrBusiness
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      fedilink
      -209 months ago

      I mean it is for many people. Russia and China aren’t really the global imperialism types.

      • theprogressivist
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        edit-2
        9 months ago

        That’s fucking hilarious. I.e. see Ukraine and Taiwan.

            • @Oderus
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              19 months ago

              It’s idiotic speak

            • NoneOfUrBusiness
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              fedilink
              -99 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
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                edit-2
                9 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
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                  -109 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.

              • @[email protected]
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                fedilink
                19 months ago

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

                • NoneOfUrBusiness
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                  -39 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.

      • partial_accumen
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        109 months ago

        I mean it is for many people. Russia and China aren’t really the global imperialism types.

        Literally posted 2 hours ago:

      • @assassin_aragorn
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        39 months ago

        South China Sea? Ask Filipino fishermen what they think about China “not being imperialistic”.