All the World's a Stage

Shakespeare wrote "All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players." Right now, the international stage of world politics is chock-full of different players and powers. And, unfortunately, several of these players are dangerously unstable. America's attentions have been appropriately focused on Iraq and Afghanistan of late, but it is important that we continue to see the entire stage and be cognizant of the actions of all of the players. Three countries in particular - Pakistan, Russia and Venezuela - are experiencing revolutionary and potentially dangerous changes.

Pakistan remains in a state of emergency declared by their President, Pervez Musharraf. This declaration was made in the wake of violent civil unrest over General Musharraf's dual role as President and head of his nation's Army. While Musharraf has recently relinquished his role as head of the military, the state of emergency persists and is aggravated by the presence of two political rivals who seek to undermine Musharraf's administration. Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who was twice removed from that office over allegations of corruption, recently returned to Pakistan from a self-imposed exile and has immediately made it known that she will oppose the Musharraf government. And former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the man Musharraf toppled in a military coup has also returned to the country and likewise established himself as a rival. Parliamentary elections are scheduled for January and the results could potentially undermine the stability of this Islamic nation. All of this is taking place in a nuclear armed country that is very likely the present headquarters of Al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden. This is a situation that should be cause for grave concern by the United States and our allies.

Last week's parliamentary elections in Russia were won in a landslide by President Vladimir Putin's party. President Putin is barred by the country's constitution from serving a third term but there is speculation that he intends to become the Prime Minister and continue to rule the country indefinitely from that position. This speculation, combined with a dramatic increase in military spending and a nationalization of several strategic industries have led many to fear that Russia is slipping back into a dictatorship - an aggressive, nuclear armed foe of the United States that would be a rival as opposed to a partner in the global arena. This is another situation that should cause the West great consternation.

The President of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez, has used state power to eliminate independent news media outlets, control election processes and nationalize oil production. In addition he has declared his hostility to the United States and publicly embraced other world leaders who share that hostility. He has used his oil rich nation's resources to beef up their military capabilities and made alliances with Iran and China. But, his power has been temporarily checked recently after a nation-wide referendum that would have nationalized private industry and eliminated term limits on his Presidency was defeated. But make no mistake, Hugo Chavez isn't going anywhere and he will continue to build up his military capabilities, form strategic alliances with our enemies and try to destabilize the fragile democracies of Central and South America. Hugo Chavez is the ideological and strategic heir to Fidel Castro. Unlike Castro, however, Chavez rules a wealthy nation with the capability to purchase lethal military hardware. Since this development is occurring in our very backyard, it too is something of which America should be wary.

Heading in to the year 2008, the world stage is increasingly volatile and several of the players increasingly aggressive. With a Presidential election looming in the United States, our own face will change on the world stage. But our essential character as a country and our diligence in the pursuit and defense of freedom will remain the same. And that means we must continue to view the Pakistani, Russian, and Venezuelan players with great caution.