As the president revealed in his interview with NBC's Bob Costas on Sunday, there isn't really much that America can -- or wants to -- do about the injustices currently being perpetrated by China or Russia. Simply put, in geopolitical relationships, there are things you like about your trading partners, and things you don't like. You take the good with the bad. Here's a telling exchange:
Q [Costas]: But given China's growing strength and America's own problems, realistically how much leverage and influence does the U.S. have here?
The President: First of all, I don't see America having problems. I see America as a nation that is a world leader that has got great values. And leverage is -- I don't think you should look at the relationship as one of leverage. I think you ought to look at the relationship of one of constructive engagement where you can find common areas, like North Korea and Iran, but also be in a position where they respect you enough to listen to your views on religious freedom and political liberty.
In other words: Our leverage is gone. And who are we to go around trumpeting our moral authority, anyway? We, who have now joined the Russians and the Chinese on the podium of Human Rights abuses. But more to the point, you might imagine the amused reactions from Putin and Chinese President Hu Jintao when America raises its "concerns." What's the United States going to do? With its military might otherwise occupied, its economy teetering, what influence, exactly, is supposed to make anybody the least bit anxious?
