Thomas L. Friedman, prestigious and almost legendary journalist for the New York Times, in his latest book “Thank you for being late” refreshes us with a concept that, despite being known, is still vital: “Our democracy can only work if voters know how it works.” the world and thus be able to make intelligent policy decisions and be less susceptible to falling prey to demagogues, ideological fanatics or conspiracy lovers who, at best, confuse them, or at worst, deceive them. intentionally. As a reader of Sun Tzu, in his book “The Art of War”, he reminds us that we must behave “humble as a maiden and quick as a hare” and this maxim seems to be taken by the elected President of the Argentine Republic, Javier Milei. , to dismantle three hypotheses of conflictive relations, created by him as a result of his speech and campaign communication, which do not serve him now to govern and even less so for his international relations: USA/Trump, Brazil/Lula and the Vatican/Pope Francis.
A couple of personal relationships, a vital element for any communication policy between countries, and a quick movement by his candidate for Minister of Foreign Affairs, disarmed in an intimate telephone conversation with an apology included between Javier and Francisco, an escalation that, as usually happens, was reversed. in principle of a current of mutual sympathy. Of course, in this I draw on much more than two thousand years of Vatican diplomacy.
Publicly aligned from the beginning with Israel and the US, its closeness and reference to Donald Trump were a severe obstacle to any relationship with the key country to face its foreign debt. A new communication policy had to be created. In a quick trip to Washington, efficiently put together by Ambassador Mark Stanley and businessman Gerardo Werthein, he had lunch with Bill Clinton, surely the best lobbyist to reach Biden and to be received by the National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan as an essential step to build a collaborative agenda with the US government. Everything quickly began to change and in a few hours a more than encouraging statement from Kristalina Georgieva in which she emphasized the IMF’s support for efforts to reduce inflation and increase growth led by the private sector in Argentina, according to what was discussed with its elected president Javier Milei.
Work is underway with Brazil and the confirmation of Ambassador Daniel Scioli as a “commission” is just a small sample of how “humble” Milei can be in pursuit of “repairing” his relationship with Lula, one of the Department’s demands. of State, but above all of the vital commercial relations for both countries. He is racing against the clock trying to achieve Lula’s presence at the inauguration or at least an immediate bilateral relationship with the president of Brazil. In regional politics, the dialogue with the Chilean government does not have many obstacles in principle and does have a common challenge in terms of economic growth and the security scheme together with Brazil in the South Atlantic.
Yes, as it seems to have been discussed in New York, Argentina decides to purchase the F16 combat aircraft, this weapons system similar to that of Chile and compatible with that of Brazil (Saab Gripen). The United States would have three squadrons of air superiority combat that controls the Drake Passage and Antarctica to the west. Much to work, much to grow in regional relations between MERCOSUR member countries and Associated States. That is the challenge of the new administration in Argentina, of an elected president who was clearly defined by MULTILATERALISM.
So be it.
