Fearing America

BELIEVE IT OR NOT, it is remotely possible that other countries live in perpetual fear, or terror, of these, our beloved United States of America. Hard to believe though it may seem. The very notion of any foreign nation being apprehensive about the greatest and most virtuous nation on Earth seems crazy. Why would anyone fear a country which has a mere eight hundred military bases on foreign soil, and a measly seven or so thousand nuclear warheads? Go figure. And, hell, the United States has only invaded two or three, at last count, countries around the world over the past couple of decades; not too bad. It could be worse. But everyone sees things differently. For North Korea to test ballistic missiles might not meet with America's approval, but, surely we can agree that it is understandable, if you factor in fear, and the instinctive tendency of humans to react defensively to perceived threats, which, among humans, one always must. One wonders what the North Koreans think they can do to defend themselves against Yankee aggression with only a couple of ballistic missiles and maybe one or two primitive nukes - well, you just feel better if you try to defend yourself, even if it a meager effort. The Chinese could easily put a stop to North Korean weapons seeking, but choose not to, largely because they understand that it isn't really that great a threat. They'll change their tune fast if one of North Korea's little missile tests end up smack on top of Shanghai by mistake. We Americans all know that it is very unlikely that the good ole USA will actually put North Korea out of business, even if the North Koreans don't know it. But of course, that could all change, if, for instance, someone like Donald Trump ends up in charge of American foreign policy.