A series of policy blunders and threats struck the spark in 1914 that unleashed a world changing war.
The Austrians wanted to show that they were strong and wanted to punish the Serbs.
Once again, a nationalist/religious movement in the Middle East is provoking a world power that is feeling put upon. It is a sensitive time. The Middle East is a Tinder Box.Not only as a result of the Arab Spring and Syria but the desire by many to hit Iran before Iran is a nuclear power.
It is a sensitive time. It is an election year in America. It is a close election. Americans feel that people don't respect them anymore. It will be easy to lean into this feeling of national frustration.
As back in 1914, our experience of war has since 1945 been local and small. America has only been involved in very expensive colonial wars where most of the pain has been felt by the other side and by the military. Americans have no idea of what a real conflict might be like.
Just as the European Powers felt in 1914.
What is at stake is life as we know it. For if the Middle East rose in arms in reaction to a mistep by America, not only would the oil that we depend on go but, be sure, war would come to America.
This is not a time for bluster. We stand on the edge of a precipice as our grand parents did. If we make a mistake, we will all lose everything. And America, will lose the most.
