It’s not easy being the only superpower.
First you have your enemies, and then sometimes, even your friends don’t like you. Last week, friends and foes joined forces to kick the United States off the United Nations Human Rights Commission and the Narcotics Control Board. Some say the move was a big win for states like Libya, China and Cuba that twisted the arms of their Asian and African brethren to give the U.S. a high profile hurt. Others say the move was an unexpected slap in the face from our European allies. Namely France, Sweden and Austria, who refused to step down and offer the U.S. a seat.
Whoever’s to blame, the move sent a strong message that when it comes to the U.S.’s superpowering around, the international community is mad as hell and they’re not going to take it anymore. We’re talking about the U.S., the U.N. and sandbox politics in the new age of multilateralism.
(Hosted by David Ropeik)
Guests:
Jeswald Salacuse, Professor, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy
Edward Luck, Author of Mixed Messages, American Politics and International Organization and Director of the Center on International Organization at Columbia University.