Clinton tells Asia: America is under new management

Thursday 19th February, 12:36 PM JST

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SushiSake3 at 04:29 PM JST - 19th February

Who really cares about the pecking order?

It's pretty much all to satisfy the male egos of the various world leaders and governments. I doubt female ministers / world leaders would stoop to play these silly little ego games.

In the overall scheme of things, which country is visited first, second or last makes very little difference considering these people are a mere phone call away at any given moment in time.

That said, it is concerning to read North Korea may well be about to fire off a missile to - according to the western press - "remind America to take it seriously" (or something along those lines.)
Nessie at 04:35 PM JST - 19th February

She skipped the part about Chapter 11.
tclh at 04:47 PM JST - 19th February

" Saving face " or "face" or " ego" ..is VERY important in Asian politics, like it or not. Explaination like Smith, China may have no choice but just smile and say " it is not important..it doesn't matter etc..." but who know deep down what China would think. Remember this is a very heavy weight diplomacy, every miligram counts.
Muchakucha at 05:00 PM JST - 19th February

Deepinside

What you said contains many truths but is in no way at odds with what Sarge said.

And besides, we all know the oil rich Arab states are now in a position to control world finances. Mega-rich Saudi is leveraging its financial might to have Sharia imposed in Europe (it's already in parts of the UK.) The US adminstration may have changed, but the goals of Islam remain the same.
SushiSake3 at 05:08 PM JST - 19th February

tclh - "Saving face " or "face" or " ego" ..is VERY important in Asian politics, like it or not."

Agreed, but isn't it petty? I think this face saving thing is why many guys buy monster cars. It's a sure sign of challenged egos that need to be massaged, that are prone to crack at the slighest impact.

If people were really comfortable with who they are, they wouldn't need to swing behind the wheel of a monster SUV, and they wouldn't be perturbed to not be the first world leader to be visited by another.

It's ego-driven by people with challenged egos.

My 2 yen. :-)
tclh at 05:36 PM JST - 19th February

He he Sushisake3, not that I want China at the top of her list but it give me pleasure to see she places China at the bottom. From my experiences I know that chinese people always hate " being at the bottom " ,in school or in business...:-)
smithinjapan at 06:23 PM JST - 19th February

tclh/Sushi: Agreed... but I have to say the Japanese hate even MORE to be at the bottom, particularly when the other nations in Asia are slightly above; it doesn't matter if it's them complaining they were called eleventh in line when Obama was inaugerated, or when Ichiro threw a spastic fit after losing to SKorea in the WBC AGAIN!

It's petty as hell, but it's there. And it's not at all limited to Asia, although there's more of an unjustified sense of entitlement that comes with it here.

It shouldn't be that way, but it is, bottom line.

The only actually important issues on this trip are trying to appease any hesitancy China has, and more than that taking seriously NKorea's bombast.
stiffdrink at 10:46 PM JST - 19th February

A daydream posts:

"Just the fact that george bush is gone makes us better friends with most everybody now."

Yeh right. Sorry, but the last I checked everyone from Asia to Europe was moaning on and on about possible American market protectionism. No matter that under the Bush admin. the US posted top 3 rankings in global surveys from "market access to world competitiveness" ! But heck, I'm sure you know better, being the "international" jet setter you appear to be... bwahahaha !
Triumvere at 10:56 PM JST - 19th February

"Clinton tells Asia: America is under new management"

You know, just in case Asia happened to stick its head under a rock for the last couple of months.
adaydream at 11:05 PM JST - 19th February

stiffdrink I don't need to even step outside my basement corner to know what going on in the world. I got the internet. I can read what other countries think. I can start peddling my bicycle generater and then I can see what goes on in another hemiphere, country or state.

Apparently you were asleep when Barack Obama was inaugurated. There were happy countries all over the place hoping that maybe they can work with the US.

Hillary Clinton has the recognoition factor and trust factor that foreign countries are looking for and not the antagonistic attitude that Condi Rice took across the world for george bush.

So it really doesn't make any difference whether I'm a jetsetter or a homeless person who uses the library computer, I can see the world without windows. < :-)
stiffdrink at 11:16 PM JST - 19th February

adaydream:

"Apparently you were asleep when Barack Obama was inaugurated. There were happy countries all over the place hoping that maybe they can work with the US."

And less than 30 days later ??? Like I said, China, France, Japan, etc are all moaning about the possibility of a "Buy American" clause in the stimulus package... that Obama has all but signed. And Hillary ? Hell all I saw on the internet was "Hillary Go Home" signs everywhere she went in Indonesia. But then again, I'm sure you know all that... pfffllt !
adaydream at 11:37 PM JST - 19th February

stiffdrink I saw pictures of Hillary Clinton with the Empress, other dignitaries, being escorted as a respected representative of the US.

There will always be diferences between countries that bring negotations and conferences. Obama's been in office for 1 month as of tomorrow. He's being accepted very well. Sure they are concerned about the "buy American" clause.

I think you'll see this all worked out in the near future. < :-)
adaydream at 11:56 PM JST - 19th February

Have a good day stiff drink. I'm happy with what Hillary Clinton is doing. Right now she's just going around and saying hello. Saying the US in under new management. Basically that it right now.

Whine all you want. I'm glad Hillary is our Chief of Staff, whether you like it or not. < :-)
stiffdrink at 12:14 AM JST - 20th February

"Right now she's just going around and saying hello. Saying the US in under new management."

Odd, spounds like a campaign phrase to me. I mean the democrats do realize they won the election, yes ? So when are they going to start acting like it ? As for Hillary, George Stephanopolous tends to disagree with your view. He has written a story for ABC news detailing how Hillary has had almost all her powers taken away... for some reason. Go ahead, google it up if you must, fascinating read by one of the White House insiders.
Samminish at 05:34 AM JST - 20th February

SoS Clinton: "Don't worry - If CHINA, NORTH KOREA, or INDIA attack you, I've got two words for all of you .. .."

Clinton: "Good-Luck"