Correspondence.

• Author: Southon, Gray
• Position: Letter to the editor

Sir,

The review in the last issue (vol 37, no 40) of our relationship with the United States is important, especially as we have had such a long and at times close relationship with it. We often tend to forget how much our international, and indeed intellectual frameworks owe to the leadership of that country. For instance, the formation of the United Nations as well as the Marshall Plan owe much of their success to the imagination and dedication of US leaders, and they have had far reaching beneficial effects globally.

However, in considering this relationship it is important to maintain a balance, and consider the challenges as well as the strengths. In particular we frequently make reference to our shared values with the United States, with little or no mention of those values that we might not share, or which may be against our interest. For instance:

* Military posture. The US position of global military hegemony involving well over 700 military bases at enormous cost, distorting and at times destabilising international relationships around the world. The use of this power is often highly provocative, such as the insistence of complete freedom on US naval activities within international waters, and the undertaking of remote combat using drone attacks. Such a posture provides an incentive for military modernisation and expansion to many countries that cannot afford it, and a horrifying precedent to those countries that seek comparable global status. Who would want a China or India to start matching this posture?

* Disarmament. The generally disruptive role the United States has played in disarmament and arms control negotiations from nuclear to small arms. For instance in the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty negotiations they have been very reluctant to honour their disarmament commitments and have resisted control of conventional arms as well. Such spoiling activities have contributed substantially to the level of international instability.

* Political Alliances. The US support for oppressive dictatorships and, at times, suppression of democratic movements in other countries. For instance the United States provoked the overthrow of Iranian Prime Minister Mosaddeq in 1953, and later supported Saddam Hussein in his attacks on Iran. The United States continues to support the absolute monarchy of Saudi Arabia.

* Political Integrity. The US tolerance of extensive influence by commercial and special interest groups on its domestic, military...