WAR BY OTHER MEANS 1 WAR BY OTHER MEANS Student’s Name Class Information Date WAR BY OTHER MEANS 2 “War by Other Means” is a book that provides information on the dilemma of the United States in using the war or military instruments of power to advance its agenda. The authors of the book denote that the leaders of the United States are falling behind China and Russia when it comes to the use of diplomacy and statecraft to solve issues that are threatening their national interests1. China and Russia are using economic inducements to convince their rivals or other states to collaborate with them, to solve an international problem. The intention of using these strategies is to undermine the influence of the United States and to enhance their hegemonic status in the world. Moreover, China and Russia rely on what is called, "Geo-economics" to undermine the United States, and protect their economic, political and social interest. The Chinese are becoming successful in advancing their goals and interests through the effective utilization of Geoeconomics. This better explains why China has more influence in Latin America and Africa when compared to the United States. The consequences of the United States ignoring economic tools and geo-economics as a tool of international cooperation does not only undermine the country but also, its allies in Europe and different parts of the world. Furthermore, extensive use of the military, and ignoring geo-economics has an effect of improving the capability of Russia to exert influence in its former Soviet states.2 It is a fact that the Russian government has the desire to unite its former Soviet Union, and ineffective American foreign policies can make this a reality. Furthermore, poor American foreign policies and strategies would undermine its effectiveness in pursuing the interests of the country in Arab-friendly states. As a result, the American people may not feel safe, because the government may be unable to protect them. 1 2 Robert D. Blackwill and Jennifer M. Harris, War by Other Means (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2016),33. Blackwill and Harris, War by Other Means, 43. WAR BY OTHER MEANS 3 Also, the inability to effectively use geopolitics as a tool in international relations may make the United States be at a position of structural disadvantage. It will be at a structural disadvantage because China and Russia are already fulfilling the global economic vacuum that the United States is leaving.3 As a result, it would become difficult and challenging for the United States to reverse the consequences of not using geopolitics to influence its national interests from a global perspective. In this regard, the United States is in a dilemma on whether to use lethal force to advocate for its international interests. The authors manage to ask interesting questions, such as: should the United States arm Ukraine, and ensure that the Russians are kept out of the region? Or should it deploy its army in Iraq, to fight against the Islamic State? The answer to these questions should be based on the perceived role of the United States in the international system, and whether the country can effectively use geo-economics as a tool of international relations. In conclusion, the book provides important insight on the other strategies that the United States can use to advocate for its interests. These include the reliance on geo-economics as a tool of international relations and diplomacy. Putting boots on the ground is not always the best strategy, and this makes the United States lose control and influence of the global affairs to China and Russia. These countries are effective in using geo-economics to advance their interest. 3 Blackwill and Harris, War by Other Means, 43. WAR BY OTHER MEANS 4 Bibliography Blackwill, Robert D., and Jennifer M. Harris. War by other means: Geoeconomics and Statecraft. Harvard University Press, 2016.
