International Relations
The Greatest Threat believe the nation-state of China poses the greatest threat to America's national interests. One world expert notes, "And as the world's largest country emerges not from within but outside the established post-World War II international order, it is a drama that will end with the grand ascendance of China and the onset of an Asian-centered world order" (Ikenberry, 2008). China poses a threat not only economically, because of their burgeoning economy that has been mushrooming for the past two decades or more, but for a number of other reasons, as well. As the author notes, China is poised to take over an "Asian-centered world," and this is the largest area of communism remaining in the world. China has been hesitant to really raise sanctions on neighboring North Korea and their nuclear program, and allied with nations like North Korea and even Vietnam, it could conceivably turn most of Asia into a communist nation-group. This could threaten the strength and military advantage of the United States, posing a great threat to the country.
However, I feel the greatest threat to the United States (and the world) is China's dismal stand on the environment. With their growing industry-based economy, the Chinese are becoming more prosperous, but they are also becoming the most polluting nation on earth. Another writer notes, "The situation continues to deteriorate because even when Beijing sets ambitious targets to protect the environment, local officials generally ignore them, preferring to concentrate on further advancing economic growth" (Economy, 2007). Global warming threatens the entire planet, and with more pollution entering the environment from China, through both industry and automobiles, the global environment is severely threatened. This is a threat that will face many generations to come, and could change the face of the entire planet, and because of this, China is the nation's (and world's) biggest threat.
References
Economy, E.C. (2007). The great leap backward? Retrieved 22 Jan. 2008 from the Foreign Affairs Web site: http://www.foreignaffairs.org/20070901faessay86503/elizabeth-c-economy/the-great-leap-backward.html.
Ikenberry, G.J. (2008). The rise of China and the future of the West: Can the liberal system survive? Retrieved 22 Jan. 2008 from the Foreign Affairs Web site: http://www.foreignaffairs.org/20080101faessay87102/g-john-ikenberry/the-rise-of-china-and-the-future-of-the-west.html.
