The Iran deal

[Bengalzona]

(05-08-2018, 07:08 PM)hollodero Wrote: The damage in reputation things like waterboarding or detention without a chance of trial did to US image can hardly be overstated.


Yeah. As European, I think we desperately need to get rid of US protectionism and take our fate in our own hands now. Starting with defense, but very much including any goodwill deals. There's no trusting this elephant right now. And that problem doesn't go away with Trump.

Reputation is the key. This is why the progression of administrations since WWII did not diverge much from previous admins before them as far as diplomacy and foreign affairs. They established a brand and bought credibility and trust by maintaining that brand. That is reputation. Our allies knew they could count on us.

Unilaterally breaking international agreements, however, shows that we are chaotic and unpredictable. That we may have 'new' friends which we prefer over our traditional friends. Sort of like going out and paying younger women to sleep with you because you are tired of the demands your wife makes on you or think she is now too old. Those are our new values. The message this sends to everyone, 'former allies' and 'new friends', is "Hey! Don't get close to us! We aren't your friends, dude!".