Intelligence Squared Jeffrey Sachs on the End of American Supremacy
Jul 5, 2019
Join the thought-provoking discussion as Jeffrey Sachs proposes a radical shift in U.S. foreign policy, advocating for collaboration with rising powers like China and Russia. The conversation critiques traditional American dominance, urging a reevaluation of military interventions and emphasizing the need for innovative diplomatic solutions. Sachs explores the economic ascent of China and warns against viewing it purely as a threat. Key topics include urgent climate action, the necessity for UN reform, and the potential for a new, multipolar world order.
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Obama's Foreign Policy
- Barack Obama's foreign policy deviated from the typical Washington playbook by prioritizing economic pressure and drone strikes.
- He hesitated on regime change in some instances.
Obama's Syria Intervention
- Obama, despite being perceived as less interventionist, secretly ordered the CIA to partner with Saudi Arabia to overthrow Assad in Syria (Operation Timber Sycamore).
- This led to years of war and a refugee crisis, illustrating the covert nature of US interventionism.
NATO Expansion
- Jeffrey Sachs criticizes NATO expansion, claiming it fueled Russia's aggressive policies.
- NATO would counter that Russia's actions in Georgia, Crimea, and Ukraine necessitated expansion.