Tonight I attended a panel discussion, at the International House (where I'm currently living) in Berkeley, titled "Foreign Policy in a New Global Era". Various experts on US foreign policy were present, and the discussion was lively and interesting. All of the panelists seemed to be in agreement that in some number of years (20?) the US will no longer be the world's only great power. Much of the discussion was focused on China, which showing significant strength both economically and politically. One interesting comment was that political influence and "public face" is zero-sum, and that the US's loss of influence in world affairs -- caused by the Iraq war and bad foreign policy -- is being taken by China, which -- especially with regards to North Korea -- has been gaining prominence and strength in Asia (and around the world).



One of the panelists was Leon Fuerth, former National Security Advisor to Vice-President Gore. After the event finished, I managed to grab his attention for a couple of minutes, and I asked him for his opinion of how future US administrations should proceed with regards to the Kyoto Protocol. He responded that it doesn't make sense to consider future administrations, because by the time President Bush leaves office, the foundations of that agreement will be non-existent. I had remembered reading in one of my books on diplomacy that, at the time of Gore's departure to Japan for the last-minute attempt to save the Kyoto talks, no one expected the US Senate to ratify an agreement. I asked Fuerth about why Gore went, if he had known that there was no chance of Senate ratification. Fuerth responded (a bit indignantly) that he had been on Air Force Two with Gore, as they went to Japan, and that Gore did *not* know that the Senate wouldn't ratify. Furthermore, he said, something is better than nothing, and Gore wanted to keep the negotiations going (and look at the result: the US didn't ratify, but the Protocol is now in effect).



Overall, an interesting night. I definitely need to study more international relations (and history). I am, however, currently taking a seminar called "Issues in U.S. Foreign Policy."