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Brush Up Your English

A Word of Advice from Europe: Soft Power Works (IV)

The more important question: Which strategy works? It is a question on which American conservatives are often curiously silent. We should at least debate how useful 'full-spectrum dominance' is when dealing with the world's most important problems. Is it really helping us to sort out failed states in the greater Middle East and Central Asia; anchor Russia in a Westward direction; or manage China's integration in the global system? Not really. And what use has American hard power been in shaping the reputation it has internationally? At present, it often evokes more resentment and disdain than trust and respect. Even Afghanistan, which earlier seemed to vindicate the view that military unilateralism works, is looking fragile.

curiously - kupodivu, zvláštně silent - němý, mlčící at least - přinejmenším useful - užitečný to sort out - vyřešit (problém), vypořádat se s čím to fail - selhat, pochybit to anchor - ukotvit to shape - tvarovat at present - v současné době resentment - odpor disdain - pohrdání trust - důvěra to vindicate - ospravedlnit, obhájit fragile - křehký

These are not academic questions - they have direct policy relevance. America is certainly capable of a hit-and-run military intervention in Iraq. And victory will come sooner than some European skeptics believe. But will it solve the problem? The argument that American intervention in Iraq will not only finish off Saddam Hussein, but also unlock the Israel-Palestine question and, by itself, usher in a new era of democracy and reform in the greater Middle East, is very optimistic, if not naive. A solution to Arab state-failure and a comprehensive peace settlement are needed urgently. But they cannot be the outcome of a war against Iraq. More pluralist politics, less religious extremism, and better functioning economies require the kind of painstaking 'nation-building' activities that the Bush team abhors.

to be capable - být schopen victory - vítězství to finish off - sleng. vyřídit koho unlock - odemknout, přen. projasnit, vyřešit to usher - uvést comprehensive - obsáhlý urgently - naléhavě outcome - výsledek painstaking - usilovný to abhor - hrozit se čeho, pohrdat

Připravuje Markéta Frýbová


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