> 1-The USA economy had a poor performance last year, despite massive
> incentives (the analogy with early 90´s Japan comes to my mind). I
> believe that imperial adventures are costly and the USA can´t afford
> them in the current situation (and, unlike what happen in the first
> Gulf war, Japan, Europe and Arab countries are not going to pay the
> bill, I hope)
Cost estimates depend on various scenarios. I don't know much about the US economy, but Stiglitz estimates the cost of Iraq war at about 0.1 or 0.2 % of the US GDP. Is this beyond the capacity of the US economy?
> 3-Unlike the other wars, we will have the USA troops making the dirty
> job of invasion/occupation, which can led to a relatively prolonged war.
After the fall Baghdad, the US could hand over the law and order to the UN.
> -What is the price the world pays for continued US hegemony?
What is the state of Afghanistan today after the Soviet occupation and the US response to it? It's a disaster for Afghans and their neighbours.
>> Even if this were to happen, it might strengthen Islamic fundamentalism
in
>> West Asia in the medium term. I don't see the Left growing in Asia in the
>. coming period.
> -That are legitimate concerns. But I don´t know to contain Islamic
> -fundamentalism. The US fed the beast in the last 30 years and now
> -are unable to deal with her, because, in a certain way, they are
> -fundamentalist too. And I doubt if war or its absence will help
> -the left to grow in Asia. That´s another question.
There are about 400 million Muslims in South Asia. Islamic fundamentalism and its Hindu counterpart is the most important threat to democracy and secularism in South Asia.
Ulhas