A Theoretical Question about Isolationism

[Shaun]

What if the United States suddenly agreed to pull all troops out of foreign lands, but also immediately ceased all foreign aid, no matter what the cause?

This would mean no troops in the Middle East, no troops in England, no troops anywhere. All of our military would reside in the U.S.

It would also mean no government aid to tsunami victims or earthquake victims or AIDS victims in Africa. We wouldn't be giving any more money to Israel either.

It would mean that the U.S. became an extreme isolationist nation that would more or less only engage militarily when attacked and would under no circumstances deliver financial aid to any nation.

What do you think this would do for the country? Would it be beneficial? Why or why not?

[Darryl_P]

If that happened, three things would follow very quickly...

1) Al Qaida would take over the Arab world.

2) The Israelis would get expelled from the region and would need to find a new home

3) Oil would rise to $200 a barrel.

These would probably lead to a worldwide economic depression followed by world war III.

[lehighguy]

1) Doubt it.

2) Again. They are a nuclear power and the best military in the region. Cutting thier aid would also mean cutting aid to Egypt.

3) This hinges on the first two.

[Nepa]

[ QUOTE ]
1) Al Qaida would take over the Arab world.

[/ QUOTE ]

Your joking right? How big is Al Qaida's army? I can see them blowing some people up but to think that they would take over the middle east is crazy.

[Nepa]

[ QUOTE ]
What if the United States suddenly agreed to pull all troops out of foreign lands, but also immediately ceased all foreign aid, no matter what the cause?

This would mean no troops in the Middle East, no troops in England, no troops anywhere. All of our military would reside in the U.S.

It would also mean no government aid to tsunami victims or earthquake victims or AIDS victims in Africa. We wouldn't be giving any more money to Israel either.

It would mean that the U.S. became an extreme isolationist nation that would more or less only engage militarily when attacked and would under no circumstances deliver financial aid to any nation.

What do you think this would do for the country? Would it be beneficial? Why or why not?

[/ QUOTE ]

By us stopping aid to Israel would most likely cut down on Terrorism.

I can see it really hurting us if a war did break out in certain parts of the world were we now hold strategic positions.

As far as Aid. I really don't know where or how much aid that we give to other countries. I guess it would cause my war if there was a hugh economic impact.

I guess overall it could cause WWIII somehow or civil war in the U.S. due to economic and political impacts. Who knows it could even bring back the Whig party?

Would this include trade as well?

[SheetWise]

[ QUOTE ]
By us stopping aid to Israel would most likely cut down on Terrorism.

[/ QUOTE ]
Apparently you believe that the terrorists, when declaring their motives, are telling the truth.

[BCPVP]

...or will go back to tending goats when that demand has been met... [img]/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

[h11]

We know the US has not told the truth. We have no similar reasons to distrust the terrorists. And what they say is logical. They say they want to rule "arabia" free of western influence. Why exactly don't you believe them? In addition, we have the example of the terrorists in Lebanon. Once the US marines and Israeli army got out, they calmed down. They did not follow us nor did they follow the Israelis.

[SheetWise]

[ QUOTE ]
We know the US has not told the truth. We have no similar reasons to distrust the terrorists. And what they say is logical. They say they want to rule "arabia" free of western influence. Why exactly don't you believe them?

[/ QUOTE ]
The US may not have told the truth (whatever that is, in wartime). I'm not really sure who "them" are -- radical Islam is about the best I can come up with. There are many reasons not to trust them. Yassir Arafat dedicated his life to breaking agreements, and was greatly admired for it. To the Nation of Islam, we are infidels -- trust and honor is not a part of that equation. They want respect -- the one thing it is nearly impossible for the West to give them. Even without the West as an enemy, there hasn't been peace in "arabia" -- their zealotry and fighting over religious doctrine doesn't require the US or Israel. The best hope is they can learn to live together -- and then we can take it from there.

[zipo]

>>We have no similar reasons to distrust the terrorists. <<

The terrorists, along with their financiers and supporters and cheerleaders, have said all along they want to destroy Western culture and civilization by committing mass murder of innocent civilians on a massive scale.

And yes, I take them at their word. That is why they must be totally annihilated.