Speaking of Eberstadt…

by Robert Koehler on January 22, 2009

In the Wall Street Journal Asia, Nick Eberstadt advises our new president not to ignore Asia.

{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Arghaeri January 22, 2009 at 9:12 pm: Our??
2 eujin January 23, 2009 at 10:57 am: I should check the map. Doesn’t Asia run from the Sinai to the Bering Strait? Or does Eberstadt mean it in the sense “Asia always gets ignored by America and in particular the US” or “many British people have never been to Europe”?

I for one think he should ignore East Asia. Sure, there should be someone senior in the State Department who’s designated to cover it and Clinton should visit occassionally, but at least for the first year or so he’s got the economy, Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran and the Palestinians to worry about. Then there’s his lofty plans about medical reform. Enough business for any person who can only be in one place at any one time. Let the Chinese, Japanese and Koreans look after themselves for a while.

The North Koreans could do with a bit of stewing. Just send them a quick memo: If you want to get my attention do something nice for a change. The door is open if you want to walk through.