America's Foreign Policy Is A Jumbled Mess

By Chris Rossini

President-elect Donald Trump unintentionally brought to light how warped America's foreign policy of interventionism really is. As the left and right bicker back and forth on whether a phone call will usher in the end of the world, let's take a look at how bizarre America's relationship with Taiwan really is.

Before we begin though, it's important to point out that America should be following the advice of George Washington, who said in his farewell address: "It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliance with any portion of the foreign world". Thomas Jefferson would continue this line of thinking in his inaugural, when he said: "Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations-entangling alliances with none."

That's where we should be and need to always aspire a return to that foreign policy.

Today, the U.S. government sits a top a worldwide military empire. It views itself as the policeman of the world and has bases in over 100 nations. The U.S. is involved with the internal affairs of nations just about everywhere in the world.

The U.S. government has alliances that change faster than weather patterns. One day an ally is the source of "stability" and the next he's the next Hitler ready to invade the world.

When the sun rises, a group of bandits are labeled as "freedom fighters," but when the sun sets they're called "terrorists" who "hate us for our freedom." 

Here's the scoop with Taiwan:

Massive trade takes place between Americans and the Taiwanese, which is fantastic! But the U.S. government does not recognize Taiwan's government because China sees it as a renegade province. Since 1979, the U.S. "officially" only recognizes China with its "One-China policy". 

Here's where it gets really strange. The U.S. has an "unofficial" relationship with Taiwan's government and even sells them billions of dollars worth of military equipment. Yes, America's military-industrial-complex is cashing in despite the so-called "One-China policy".

This "unofficial" relationship, where the U.S. literally arms Taiwan, does not start World War III with China.

However, if you listen to the the mainstream media over the last few days, a phone call between Donald Trump and Taiwan's President is reason enough for the apocolypse to set in.

It gets crazier.

Former President George W. Bush promised to defend Taiwan. (Try to find the Constitutional authority for that one.) Yet at the same time, America is constantly telling Taiwan that it's against Taiwanese independence. This despite the fact that about two-thirds of the island’s population self-identify as “Taiwanese,” and not “Chinese.”

That's not to say that the U.S. should support Taiwan's independence. The correct position is neutrality. But one can see that this tangled policy web has the potential to create anger and resentment on all sides.

The bottom line is that U.S. policy isn't just a jumbled mess in the Middle East. Interventionism is a disaster everywhere.

There's a much better way. Washington and Jefferson had it right. 

It would be wise to go back to a sane foreign policy of non-interventionism.