Trade-Offs

Here's Randy Scheunemann, John McCain's top foreign policy aide, talking about Georgia and U.S.-Russian relations and casually dropping tid-bits of his bizarre theoretical approach. For example, here's his view of diplomacy:

Well, I think first of all the administration has said very clearly and publicly that there will be no trade-offs. Trade-offs like that are kind of a relic of a bygone era of power politics.

That's right, he thinks the entire process of bargaining for mutual advantage that lies at the core of diplomacy -- and, indeed, of almost all constructive human interaction -- is a relic of a bygone era of power politics. In the brave new future, either the Russians give way on all points, or else we raise up the national missile defense system and it's bombs away.

For a more rational take on international relations, you might want to come by my Heads in the Sand event tomorrow at 6:30 PM at the Borders at 18th and L in DC.

UPDATE: That should be 6:00 PM at Borders, apologies.

Comments

When is your Philadelphia book event? And Scheunemann is just plan frackin' nuts!!

Posted by Joe Klein's conscience | April 30, 2008 9:20 AM

Here, I have something I want you to buy. Oh, not a fair price, huh? Hmmm, well, I'm not budging. Help you out a little? Nah, take it or leave it. Better terms, lower interest, quicker delivery, free set up? Hah, fuck you. I don't need your business!
Hey Bob, we need a bigger warehouse for all this product, this goddamned economy has been hell on sales..........

Posted by steve duncan | April 30, 2008 9:23 AM

How long is the event supposed to last?

Posted by eriks | April 30, 2008 9:29 AM

Matt - is it at 6:30pm, or 6:00pm? When you mentioned it a couple days ago, you said 6.

I think I might actually be able to make it, so this is a serious query.

Posted by low-tech cyclist | April 30, 2008 9:43 AM

Yes -- this is also a serious request.

Posted by Keurig | April 30, 2008 9:58 AM

That's right, he thinks the entire process of bargaining for mutual advantage that lies at the core of diplomacy -- and, indeed, of almost all constructive human interaction -- is a relic of a bygone era of power politics. In the brave new future, either the Russians give way on all points, or else we raise up the national missile defense system and it's bombs away.

I think Matt is being a bit too literal here. In the context of the interview it seems clear that this is just Scheunemann's way of saying that there is no reason to make this kind of tradeoff in this instance, because the US and European position is sufficiently strong that we can get our new antimissile system in Europe and continue to support the NATO aspirations of Georgia and Ukraine, and there isn't a heck of a lot the Russians can do about it. Of course, he could just say "We don't need to make no stinkin' trade, because we've got 'em where we want 'em." But it's a bit more diplomatic to appeal to some high-minded sentiment about the bad old days of superpowers trading countries along the borders of their spheres of influence, like properties in a monopoly game.

This is a good example of a situation where Matt's proposed general commitment to the principles of liberal internationalism with gradual liberal expansion doesn't really help you much in dealing with a specific case. That's because you still have decide, in dealing with a particular instance, whether this is a situation in which you should push a little bit promote that gradual expansion, or whether it is a situation in which you should back off a bit and defer expansion in this neighborhood to another day.

Posted by Dan Kervick | April 30, 2008 10:13 AM

Turns out Scheunemann was a lobbyist for the Georgian government--a detail both he and the radio host neglect to mention.

The Wonk Room's Matt Duss has the story.

Posted by Ali | April 30, 2008 11:39 AM

Randy Scheunemann is a product of the Fletcher School Security Studies program in the mid 1980s - a profoundly hawkish/Team B group. He wasn't seen as the heaviest hitter in his peer group either, FWIW.

Posted by Andrew | April 30, 2008 11:59 AM

Scary indeed. Yet it might as well not exist. Why is anyone even slightly surprised we ended up with Bush instead of Gore. And it is happening all over again...

Posted by Chris Dornan | April 30, 2008 1:23 PM

This is a good example of a situation where Matt's proposed general commitment to the principles of liberal internationalism with gradual liberal expansion doesn't really help you much in dealing with a specific case.

Based on my read of the book, it is kind of helpful. The empirical issue would be something like whether one can bargain with Russia over either of these issues in a way which would lead to Russia to agree to some real constraints on its actions and otherwise become more constructively involved in the international order, and if that's not on the table (and it's probably not) taking whatever actions otherwise best strengthen international rule-governed cooperation, which probably means supporting the territorial integrity of most currently existing states, especially reasonably democratic ones.

Posted by washerdreyer | April 30, 2008 1:25 PM

Thanks for the explanation Dan. I am not convinced though: this seems very reminiscent of the 'we don't deal with evil' and ticking off of the Swiss when the Iranians offered what now looks like an extremely favourable deal, and would have been very constructive.

It smacks of hubris and I really can't think of a situation where power politics isn't in play. Trying to sign up the Ukraine and Georgia is just madness and always going to lead to a horrible mess.

And as for Son of Star Wars... good grief.

Posted by Chris Dornan | April 30, 2008 1:37 PM

How many billions has the US pissed away on "Star Wars"?

But somebody got that money from you sucker taxpayers, right? And those somebodies are big McCain campaign supporters, I bet you.

That's what this is about. It has ZERO to do with Matt's fantasies about making Russia play nice, or whatever bullshit he thinks is running the world.

I estimate it will take Matt another twenty years to get a clue.

Posted by Richard Steven Hack | April 30, 2008 4:17 PM