Fill-in-the-blank Warns U.S.

In several news stories of the past couple of weeks, the phrase "warns U.S." has appeared over and again. These warnings have come from countries in Asia and the Middle East, messages to the United States to take caution as to an action or decision. These warnings have served to signal to the U.S. that the consequences of our actions will be counteractions on the part of other nations and that we might not be happy with the consequences.

That one can google "warns U.S." and a number of current news stories populate the browser isn't necessarily indicative of the weakened position of the United States courtesy of Bush/Cheney and poor foreign policy. However, that we are being warned from the gravest to the minute is interesting and who is issuing these warnings significant.

CNN, 13 Oct 07
'Putin warns U.S. to back off on missile talks'

Despite U.S. pledges of cooperation and new ideas on missile defense, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates were warned by President Vladimir Putin to back off on missile defense plans for the former Soviet sphere.

Even McCain is riffing off of the Bush quote of looking into Putin's eyes and getting a "sense of his soul" but Putin is only issuing more warnings.

News Oberserver, 17 Oct 07

'Putin warns against attacks on Iran'

Vladimir Putin issued a veiled warning Tuesday against any attack on Iran as he made the first visit by a Kremlin leader to Tehran in six decades - a mission reflecting Russian-Iranian efforts to curb U.S. influence.

It isn't just matters of foreign policy, however, that has nations wagging a finger at us in front of cameras, we're being admonished about everything.

BBC News Europe, 09 Oct 07
'Turkey warns US over genocide law'

Turkey has warned the US that bilateral ties will suffer if Washington adopts a bill recognising as genocide the Ottoman empire's killings of Armenians.

Gen. Yasar Buyukanit, Turkey's top general warned that if the genocide bill passes, that the military relationship will never be the same again. Significant to the U.S., Turkey provides logistical support to our troops.

About 70 percent of U.S. air cargo headed for Iraq goes through Turkey as does about one-third of the fuel used by the U.S. military there. Turkish truckers also carry water and other supplied to U.S. bases.

In addition, cargo planes fly supplies to U.S. soldiers in remote areas of Iraq from Incirlik, avoiding the use of Iraqi roads vulnerable to bomb attacks. U.S. officials say the arrangement helps reduce American casualties.

Okay, now that we have missile defense, a strike against Iran and Congress passing a resolution on genocide (you might want to stop holding your breath Darfur, this genocide resolution debate is 90 years later), who else is pinning a note to our shirt before we get on the bus?

New York Times, 16 Oct 07

'China Warns U.S. on Dalai Lama Trip'

Chinese officials warned the United States not to honor the Dalai Lama, saying a planned award ceremony for the Tibetan spiritual leader would have "an extremely serious impact" on relations between the two countries.

Speaking at a Foreign Ministry briefing and on the sidelines of the Communist Party’s ongoing 17th National Congress, the officials condemned the Dalai Lama as a resolute separatist and said foreign leaders must stop encouraging his "splittist" mission.

Well crap. Seems like we can't leave out the door for work with a cup of coffee in our hand without the world's solely remaining superpower receiving a warning from some head of state, general or diplomat. From where will our next admonition come? Ahhh, just fill in the blank.

Note to world leaders, generals, ambassadors, diplomats and other warning issuers: We don't listen to warnings. Just ask General Shinseki, Richard Clarke, U.S. intelligence agencies before the Iraq war began, Mohammed El-Baradei, FEMA before Joe Allbaugh and the National Weather Service.