Aside from reforms to foreign assistance, Africans should not anticipate any major shifts. US policy toward the region is driven by strategic priorities and limited by financial constraints—factors that would change little if Romney took office.
Romney has been quite vocal in his push for energy independence in North America by 2020. This has more to do with generating domestic economic growth than America’s national security.
Moscow and Washington strongly disagree over many issues. Their differences over Syria, however, do not amount to a Cold War-style proxy war between them. Regional actors are more at odds in Syria than the U.S. and Russia.
Turkey will not be an instrument by which the Assad regime is deposed. It will neither directly attack the Assad government nor be the leader of an intervening coalition. If there is intervention, it will have to be an American initiative.
For a new space race to occur, the US-China military rivalry in space must escalate to a general rivalry in prestige exploratory programs. But, as history has shown, the gulf between aspirations and reality is wide.
The Arctic Game is much more significant than a mere geopolitical race between a fractured NATO, Russia and China. It will reveal the maturity, or lack thereof, of all its players.
Since the most recent coup in April, Guinea-Bissau has continued to seek new international partners. But only time will tell if growing foreign investment in Guinea-Bissau will help it escape failed statehood.
BAE Systems is trying to tie up with Airbus’ parent, EADS, to create the world’s largest aerospace company. This merger may yield several problems for the airliner and defence industries.
In a Romney administration few prominent realists would likely gain top decision-making posts. While erstwhile hawks, nationalists and neocons who do make it into positions of influence will likely be ‘captured by reality’.
The first space race was the start of a new era in human history, not its apogee. There is no guarantee that we will not repeat it. But if money is the sinews of war, this space race will be more formidable than the last.
Before you download your free e-book, please consider donating to support open access publishing.
E-IR is an independent non-profit publisher run by an all volunteer team. Your donations allow us to invest in new open access titles and pay our bandwidth bills to ensure we keep our existing titles free to view. Any amount, in any currency, is appreciated. Many thanks!
Donations are voluntary and not required to download the e-book - your link to download is below.
