Dumb Intelligence

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1893509,00.html

Point 1: Obama shouldn't stop at declassifying the memos He needs to launch a full-scale investigation into our intelligence-gathering practices over the past eight years, because once you get past the details of what was made legal to fight the war of terrorism, there's even an starker realization: we torture people for almost no veritable information

Obama should stop declassifying and not launch a full-scale investigation. It is stated that U.S. interrogators' use of harsh and even sadistic techniques has been known for years. Hence if they continue with their investigation and find out more than what's known, it might spark off even more war and conflicts between the terrorists and U.S. It would threaten the nation's security as the terrorists know that the U.S torture their fellow friends for no vertiable reasons which to them is not right. They feel that whatever they are doing, was right and it is God's will & sees the actions of U.S as an retaliation against them. The terrorists already had something against non-Muslim nations and further investigation and declassification would spark off more conflicts and deaths of many innocents.


However, declassification could actually show the sincerity of the U.S for their past actions. That they are willing to bring up all their mistakes and show it to the world. Declassification could also tone down the actions of CIA in the use of torture to get the information they want. They would want to be known as the country that uses torture for no reason. Hence, it would ensure that whatever they do is backed by a valid reason. Terrorists might, in turn, tone down their activities seeing the change of the U.S

On the other hand, things might not go on as well as it is thought to be. Terrorists are extremists who will not stop their activities because of the change. They believe what they are doing is God's will, and fulfilling God's purpose. The U.S should stop declassifying and not continue with their violent torture. They should instead use persuasion or coercion. This could be a better way out as they do not feel physical pain but mental torment from the officers. It is known that psychological process is a better way to get what is needed compared to physical pain. Because humans know how to weigh the consequences. Therefore, Obama should stop declassifying and investigating. He should work to what's the better way to handle terrorists.

Point 2: Torture can't be replied on to produce more than false confessions - because people will say anything to make the pain stop

Eh continue another day, I wanna sleep already ):

China’s Turn

China’s Turn. Beijing is asserting itself on the world stage as the global economic crisis weakens the West – By Joshua Kurlantzick

Point 1: “Against the backdrop of a weakened West, China sees an opportunity to assert itself globally.”
With the almighty America reeling back from the blow of the current global economic crisis, China is given this rare chance to step out and take the reins. Using the example of “China promised to buyy International Monetary Funds.., ...provided it gets a greater say in the IMF”, this shows us how China is trying to overthrow America’s reign of being the one in charge, trying to get a “louder voice”, signalling to the world that it wants to be a major player. This is expected as China is often not in the limelight of global events, with America as the main star of the global show.
However, I believe China’s not the only country trying to assert itself. Countries such Singapore and European countries are also trying to get stronger footholds on the world stage. Examples including suggesting certain policies which could lead economies out of this global recession, but only a few have shown to be effective. The fight for a share of the pie is common especially when a main dominator like America is weakened, but such countries do have to consider their own problems before coming out to lead the world which will be elaborated in Point 3.

Point 2: “China’s leaders are using the crisis to point out what they regard as flaws in Western capitalism, taking political advantage of the situation.”
“Striking when the iron is hot”, indeed China puts this into play well in the game of politics. With the West weakened, China takes advantage to stress its importance and showcase its prowess. This is only possible because China has massive investments in currencies and bonds of the West, allowing her to manipulate her actions freely. A common example is the growing reticence about China’s human rights abuses. This crisis can be considered to be a blessing in disguise to China as it gives them an opportunity to manipulate and overtake the West.
But how far does this strength-from-weakness go? Flaws which they have identified like “an unsustainable model of development in the West that partnered a blind pursuit of profit”, are they not present in China? This is only possible by diverting all of the global attention to the mistakes and blunders of the West, allowing them to bypass the similar or exact problems that China may be having too, making them accusations to fall.

Point 3: “Time abroad could distract China’s leaders from their pressing domestic problems.”
China itself has many domestic problems in which they have not been addressed; hence they should not be stepping out and asserting themselves on the global stage. Political reform, corruption and religious freedom are just some of the many underlying issues that China has yet to solve. Hence such actions by China overseas might only seek to worsen their internal problems which need to be solved urgently.
China has succeeded playing this game before during the “Asian financial crisis during the 1990s” but whether they will succeed in becoming a major global voice; I believe it would take more than just borrowing strength from weaknesses of the West but rather how they cope with their own problems, setting the bar for other countries to follow.