Global Security, the Last Man Standing, and the Third Face of Power

Amidst all the theatre of Obama's visit to Britain is the pursuit of 'global security'.

For two countries weighed down with debt to simultaneously play the role of world policeman is some kind of conjouring trick which might well depend for its continuation on a European - Ms Lagarde? - being apppointed to the post of top job at the IMF.   [Gdn]

It's already clear that the so-called 'war on terror' has actually been a war for resources, and in particular for oil.   [DC]

The case of Afghanistan might be thought to contradict this, but reports of mineral resources - which might otherwise be exploited by China - might help to explain the apparently inexplicable.   [NYT]

Another explanation involves a pipeline from Karachi, through Afghanistan, to tap into Turkmenistan's gas reserves, and to avoid the interference of Iran or Russia.   [TS]

Meantime, those two groups of all-purpose bogey men - the Taliban and al Quaida - serve to (a) justify the war in Afghanistan, and (b) justify homeland security measures, such as preventive detention - as carried out by the police before the visit of the Pope and the Royal Wedding - on the grounds that people subsequently released without charge were going to demonstrate against/disrupt/bomb the ceremonies.

Occasionally Britain's 'war on terror' descends into the sort of farce for which British governments are now well known:

Bob Quick, Britain's most senior counterterrorism officer, was forced to stand down today after an embarrassing security leak resulted in a major anti-terror operation, designed to foil an alleged al-Qaida plot to bomb Britain, being rushed forward ...

Police were forced to carry out raids on addresses in the north-west of England in broad daylight yesterday, earlier than planned, after Quick, the Metropolitan police's assistant commissioner, was photographed carrying sensitive documents as he arrived for a meeting in Downing Street.

A white document marked "secret", which carried details of the operation being planned by MI5 and several police forces, was clearly visible to press photographers equipped with telephoto lenses.

Prime minister Gordon Brown today said the police services, who arrested 12 men, had been investigating a "major terrorist plot" ...   [Gdn]

Subsequently, all 12 men were released without charge. [Gdn]   [CM]

The reality is that the policy is very largely a subtefuge for the pursuit of Richard Heinberg's 'last nation standing' hypothesis.

China is pursuing a similar policy to the British and American third face of power strategy without having any voters to deceive!

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China reaps reward of Zambia copper investment

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Fears of Chinese land grab as Beijing's billions buy up resources

Brazil's huge new port highlights China's drive into South America

China's spectacular ascendance

Debt-ridden Greece gets vote of confidence from China

Renminbi on the way to being the world's most important currency

Deals Help China Expand Its Sway in Latin America