[AndyJackson]

Well, this decline started with the Iraq war, wherein we exchanged our competitive advantage in terms of geography and sea power to become yet another Asian landpower.

The "defensible" core of our alliances was the American quadrasphere, the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and our trading partners on the outer rim of that core.

Syria was not part of that core and in fact the Black Sea is undeniably within the Russian sphere of influence. We can lie, cheat, posture, dispute, argue against spheres of influence, call Putin bad names, hate Russian oligarchs or whatever. We cannot change that reality.

On the other hand, the Philippines were very much part of that essential strategic core, we let it flounder and the core has been breached. It is not just tragic; it is the first breach in our strategic dyke.

[Bogie]

The Iraq war was the nail in the coffin.

And, the neocons are behind Hillary Clinton, as we sit here and type.

[knarf]

History has been going on for a long time, and too many people view the here and now as if Merlin just now waved his wand.

Duterte interview ... 20 some minutes, all questions pretty much answered