In class we have discussed the question of whether the US is losing its position of dominance in the global system, whether by choice or by a loss of power. The evidence for this shift in the American position is substantial in the economic arena. The New York Times has an article today with a great deal of evidence that supports this point of view. The question is not whether the US is still a global hegemon; the real question is the extent to which the world order can handle the loss of a rule enforcer. Will it adjust by coming up with alternative ways to assure compliance or will it begin to degrade?
The National Interest published a short article today that suggests, but does not prove, that West Germany provided Israel with the necessary funds to build its nuclear arsenal. The article references an article in the conservative German newspaper, Die Welt, which can be accessed from the article [the article is in German]. Israel does not admit that it possesses nuclear weapons. Interestingly, it appears as if France, Norway, and Great Britain were also involved in helping Israel develop the bomb.
Dimona, the site of Israel’s nuclear research facility in the Negev desert
The IMF has ruled out the possibility that Greece may be allowed to delay a loan repayment of about 1 billion euro due next month. The IMF and Germany regard the concessions made by Greece on trimming its budget deficit are not adequate, and insist that Greece must cut the pensions available to its citizens. Earlier in the day there was a flurry of excitement as Spiegel reported that Russia was going to extend a 5 billion euro credit to Greece as part of a natural gas pipeline deal. Later on in the day, The Telegraph reported that there was no deal in the works.
World Politics News 
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