Pax Americana is Dead

The World is Going in a Much More Dangerous Direction

Starting at the Yalta Conference late in World War II, the allies contemplated what a post-War world would look like. The Soviet Union (Russia) was given it’s sphere of influence, the US and it’s allies were given it’s sphere of influence, they carved up Germany (and separately Berlin) and even negotiated resettlement of refugees throughout Europe. In retrospect, many look at this as the opening rounds being fired in the Cold War that would follow, but it was also the start of a New World Order that found America at the top of the global friend list.

The Cold War would polarize the world between the East and West, because they were the victors of WWII, they set the playing board to favor themselves as victors, and because they had nuclear weapons. However, whereas the communists of the Soviet Union could only impose their will on others with an iron fist, the United States welcomed and assisted other nations with a velvet glove. We supported the struggles of other nations fighting against communism, we demonstrated our goodwill through programs like the Marshall Plan and more recently with Pepfar in Africa. We understood the value of making true allies and not just the transactional nature of politics. We maintained a moral high ground, best described by Reagan as a “Shining City on a Hill” that was a beacon for freedom, and those seeking it, everywhere. It remained that way through the ‘90s after the Soviet Union collapsed and we assisted in bringing democracy to the breakaway republics.

Then came 9/11, the Global War on Terror, the misguided War in Iraq and fiasco after fiasco. We lost our moral compass, our values were now being questioned, and our purpose seemed undefined. We remained in that morass for a decade, until Trump was elected and started his appeasements to the isolationist crowd. Mocking the United Nations, threatening to pull out of NATO (the most successful military alliance in history) and trying to blackmail Ukraine amidst a war with Russia into making up stories about the Bidens. He cozied up to Putin, who fancies himself a modern Stalin, and with Kim Jong Un, a nepo-baby who has his entire populace under a cloud of propaganda and a military hard line. He’s picked trade wars with economic friends and foes alike, unaware or apathetic towards the costs on the American public, and the practicality of knowing not everything can be created here in the US cheaper.

The Biden intermission re-established American footing, but only briefly. With Trump back in charge, he’s amped up speed towards his nihilist agenda; he’s told Ukraine, it’s on it’s own, and is signalling to China they have a green light to go into Taiwan. He’s picked fights with our nearest neighbors in Canada and Mexico sparking a wave of anti-American nationalism in both countries that is both detrimental and counterproductive to U.S. goals. He told the Munich Security Conference through his acolyte Vice President that the United States is no longer a player in Europe and it’s all on them now to defend themselves. It’s only a month into the Trump second term, but if the rest is anything like the first, he may as well take up fiddling and play while the world burns.

The world is now a much more dangerous place. Tyrants now have the incentive and ability to act on smaller nations with impunity, knowing full well the US will not intervene. What’s more, smaller countries can now no longer rely on US security guarantees. Countries that had foregone getting nuclear devices based on the premise the United States would protect them now have every incentive to go out and either purchase them from countries who already have them or create their own. Farewell nuclear non-proliferation. Countries such as Japan, Germany, South Korea and elsewhere are incentivized much more to start or greatly increase their own armies and mobilize them for defense. Of particular note, the far right of many countries (including Germany and France) are resurgent, and its particularly virulant strain of anti-immigrant, anti-semitic, anti- diversity nationalism is particularly toxic and problematic. The Dogs of War are being roused, and the only thing holding them back is a very loose leash of patience.

Last week, Trump made it be known that peace could be attained in Ukraine for the usurious sums of 50% of their rare earth minerals to be given to the US in perpetuity, Zelensky stepping down and elections to be had in Ukraine. He had his Secretary of State meet with Russia’s foreign policy minister Sergei Lavrov, and without Ukrainian representatives present. The absurd proposal was roundly rejected, but the fact Trump is leveraging his chip stack in Ukraine on Russia’s behalf should not be taken lightly. He has every appearance of Neville Chamberlain in Munich catering to the hubris of the dictator wanting to carve up Czechoslovakia before WWII, and then crowing about how peace had been made.

Make no mistake, any deal made favoring the invader in the Russia-Ukraine War is not peace, it’s a capitulation.

We used to call the goodwill the United States received around the world as emblematic of “American Exceptionalism.” The mood around the world towards the US at the moment seems anything but exceptional. In fact, it feels more like someone quietly closing the door on people begging for help, not wanting to get involved and not caring what happens to those on the other side of it. The fact that many in the United States seem perfectly fine with that, and even want it to happen only proves one thing:

The World Order with the United States at the top is now dead.

PurpleAmerica’s Culture Corner

Last week, I asked many of you to go visit a Ukrainian bakery or business and show your support for Ukrainians 3 years after the Russian invasion. I posted on all my social media accounts encouraging it and I also made a Reddit post reiterating the same. I received many accolades for the idea and was told by many that they were going to patronize their local Ukrainian food establishments this weekend.

I went to that local Ukrainian bakery (love the pastries) and was told the response was overwhelming. So many people came in on Friday and Saturday they had their best days of business since opening. She told me with tears in her eyes how great it felt to be supported, particularly on this weekend.

PurpleAmerica, you are something else. I love you guys.

Now, I take no blame if you have suddenly become addicted to the pavlovas. But the proprietor had to stop making the “Napoleon Cakes” because of the custard in them. You see, it takes 9 eggs to make one cake and the price of eggs….well, you know.

PurpleAmerica’s Obscure Fact of the Day

The AfD, a far right pro-Putin, neo-Nazi adjacent party in Germany, came in second in the overall vote this past weekend. Where did it’s vote come from? Glad you asked.

The base of the AfD almost conforms exactly to the borders of East Germany, back in the days when it was a Russian puppet state.

You may think that’s odd, or maybe not, but these old borders have proven extremely resilient in more ways than just politics. For instance, there is a huge economic disparity between the two regions emblematic of the more wealthy west vrs the poverty stricken east. On the other hand, the former East German areas are ahead of it’s western brethren in terms of offering and efficency of government services.

In 2016, Philip Bump of the Washington Post documented some other ways the former split countries differ as one. As if prescient back then, he had this to say about the growing far right in former East Germany.

PurpleAmerica’s Final Word on the Subject

“Shameful. A total and unmitigated defeat.”

—Churchill’s response to Chamberlain’s Munich Agreement with Hitler.

LIKE WHAT YOU SEE? MAKE SURE TO SUBSCRIBE AND SHARE!!!

Footnotes and Fun Stuff