Before the recent financial crisis, this kind of talk from a European leader would essentially be laughed off as inconsequential.  However, today, it holds real menace.  The key to American global power was always economic.  That allowed us to build military strength that has been unparalledled in American history.    This quote sums up a major challenge that combined with the rise of CHina, the resurgence of Russia, non-proliferation, global warming all combine in a toxic stew.  America has options, though not pretty ones.  A tough leader is needed who can make swift decisions on a range of issues.  Anythign less is inviting political stalemate and the sort of persistent procrastination that has led down a road to potential (though still far from) oblivion.

Woe be to the world the day America either loses its power to enforce global stability or when it decides to embrace its national interests in the coldest of calculations.  Unfortunately, this day may be closer than many may understand...

Here is a snippet from a Washington Post piece on French President Sarkozy's initiative to strip America of its power.


"President Nicolas Sarkozy warned Europe on Thursday that it cannot escape shock waves from the U.S. financial crisis and that to protect its future, it must take the initiative in rewriting worldwide banking rules to end the 'folly' of an under-regulated system he..." Sarkozy is calling for nothing less than the end of the US dominated global economic system. This is a challenge to US hegemony in the severest form."