McCain/Palin -- A Blazing Sign of Strategic Vulnerability

[The Traveler]

John McCain has selected a rather attractive running mate whose views appeal to the evangelical base he has been so diligently courting. But while the luscious wolf puppy killing Ms. Palin might be attractive to the sadist or the fanatic, her current status as presumptive VP nominee sends a powerful message to our allies and adversaries overseas.

America is weak, this announces. America is growing weaker. For in a strong nation with a healthy political body, this kind of thing just would not happen. It. Just. Wouldn't. And if such a pairing of candidates actually wins the election, that signal becomes substantially amplified.

Palin might have some executive experience but it is abundantly clear she has given little thought to matters of foreign policy or geopolitical strategy. She appears to have close associations with religious extremists who believes now is the time to prepare for Armageddon. Reasonable people might suggest that such a person be kept at a very safe distance from any button connected to any nuclear warhead delivery system.

Strategic analysts in, say, Russia, are sure to have already figured this out and are simultaneously calculating the risks and estimating the opportunities. Given that McCain is a 72 year old cancer survivor, there is a reasonable possibility he will not finish his first term. That would place the extreme and unknowledgable Ms. Palin in control of the world's largest and most sophisticated nuclear arsenal. That clearly presents a risk to Russia and other potential adversary nations (e.g. China) which must be countered through strategic planning and action. But it also creates opportunities for these nations.

America's strategic allies will probably express little confidence in this strange pairing. While the diplomats and analysts of Britain, France, and Germany are likely to be discreet in their commentary, internal discussion will revolve around the obvious insanity this decision implies and plans to manage the risks it produces. And all that will make them more susceptible to the diplomatic back channel pressures of a resurgent Russia that is only now beginning to flex its new military and economic muscles.

Even further, a Russian strategic planner now knows that McCain's decision making is largely impulse driven. And impulse driven strategists can always be manipulated ...

The election of a McCain/Palin signals to the world that America will not deflect from an impulsive and aggressive approach to foreign policy, of which our invasion and occupation of Iraq is the most oft cited example. It will solidify opinion that America must be stopped. The fragility of the American paper economy and the strategic ineptitude of McCain will provide the means.

[Arctic Dave]

1. Insightful. Good points. n/t

[enough]

2. k&r