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.

  • Dagwood222@lemm.ee
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    9 months ago

    And your plan is…?

    What you’d like, and what you’ll get a two different things.

    • Cosmonauticus@lemmy.world
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      9 months ago

      It’s not about what I’d like I’m just going off current trends. Countries are abandoning the dollar and forming coalitions with neighboring countries due to covid and the fatigue of being beholden to the US. The fact that a US election has that much influence over other countries is problematic in general.

      Imagine a presidential election is Bulgaria having this much influence over your government and thinking that’s fine.

      • theprogressivist @lemmy.world
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        9 months ago

        If you’re speaking specifically about BRICS, they can’t even agree upon being in a coalition together without dick measuring. Good luck trying to replace the dollar when the countries trying to do so can’t agree on which currency to replace it with.

      • Dagwood222@lemm.ee
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        9 months ago

        Maybe in twenty years things will be different. Right now, if America steps back, Putin steps up. I’m not trying to say that’s the best thing, I’m looking at what is.

        • Cosmonauticus@lemmy.world
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          9 months ago

          It’s not about America stepping back or Russia and China stepping forward. It’s other countries learning that they should rely more on themselves and their immediate neighbors instead of foreign governments