Secretary of State Clinton, speaking in Paris, warned China today that it risks diplomatic isolation and disruption to its energy supplies unless it helps keep Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
Clinton’s remarks are part of a broader pattern according to which she and other American officials respond to China’s refusal to agree to further sanctions by lecturing China about what its interests are.
Given the relative successes of the two countries’ recent foreign policies in the Middle East, it is no wonder that China does not appear to be listening.
China understands very well its interest in facilitating positive relations with Iran and the risks that supporting a U.S. policy of confrontation may pose.
For a comprehensive study of China’s relations with Iran, consult Moving (Slightly) Closer to Iran: China’s Shifting Strategic Calculus for Managing Its Persian Gulf Dilemma, a monograph co-authored by John Garver, Flynt Leverett, and Hillary Mann Leverett this past Fall.
– Ben Katcher
Presidents conserve political capital by having Cabinet secretaries do the dirty work. The president’s job is to swoop in and take the credit when something good happens. It’s a routine at least as old as democracy, and probably older.
I don’t know why President Obama tries to hide himself behind Sec. Clinton when it comes to Iran and China?
The Chinese are not quavering over this, I’m afraid. The Secy. of State looks foolish wagging her finger at them. The only card we have with the Chinese is, paradoxically, that we owe them so much money. If the U.S. goes bankrupt (a distinct possibility in 8-10 years’ time) the Chinese will take a huge hit.
Desperate chest thumping by the SOS. Hegemony is slipping through her fingers. Attempts to control the world’s oil and gas supplies is looking increasingly quixotic.
And just who does she think she is threatening? Does she really think that the West’s retail industries would sit idly by as the US cuts of oil supplies to their suppliers’ factories?
Hillary is losing it.
To have a little entertainment during your serious discussions on this board here is a new joke from
45 minute Tony a dangerous British comedian
Blair: Iran in 2010 more dangerous than Iraq in 2003
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair said that Iran in 2010 was more dangerous in terms of its nuclear program than Iraq was in 2003. He made the remarks to a public inquiry into the Iraq war in London. Addressing the Islamic Republic’s ties with “terror groups”, Blair said that “a large part of the destabilization in the Middle East at the present time comes from Iran.”