Many news media and political pundits are providing their top challenges for 2012. So, I thought I would add my top five.
1. The economy which includes the debt and the massive Administration spending. Economic power come before political and military power. The US is very week in this area right now.
2. Divisive politics at all levels and a disorganized National Military Strategy. The recent Strategy document seems to provide lots of challenges but little prognosis for realist answers. The world powers must be confused.
3. Iran and it’s lunatic leadership. Iran is probably the most dangerous nation any where at this time. There seems to be no rational answer for their belligerency except a falling government that needs to galvanize its people to follow the leaders.
5. Venezuela is going to continue to use its vast oil revenue to run opposition to any thing the US tries to do or not do in Latin America.
I do not see Korea as a problem because it has too many internal problems and much weaker military than it has been in the past.
Iraq is over and Afghanistan is at a level acceptable to the American people. China will try to hold back any misadventures.
Additionally, I believe it is not in China’s interest to confront the US because it has a lot to lose over any conflict – economic, political or military.
There are many hot spots in the world but we have more problems at home than abroad
