Han Media: [All Things Considered] The Logic of American Power: "Try to Challenge Us" (FARO)
When Athens and Sparta fought the Peloponnesian War, they sent an army to the small city-state of Melos. Melos called for "not taking sides," but Athens was calm. Athens said, "The strong do as they please, and the weak must submit," and destroyed Melos. All the men were killed, and the women and children were sold into slavery. The negotiations of Melos are the first recorded case of the international political reality of "Try to challenge us." The Mongol Empire also conveyed a simple message to the weak: "Surrender completely or die." The Mongols fully implemented this principle.
¬ During the period of confrontation between Hungary and the Ottoman Empire, Hungary claimed to be the "Shield of the Christian World" and referred to the Ottomans as "infidels." Although the Ottoman Empire was stronger, Hungary still regarded them as a frontier monarch. The Ottomans said, "Those who reject our order will be eliminated," but Hungary believed in the support of Christianity and responded with "Come and fight." As a result, within just one day, the Hungarian king was killed, and the kingdom collapsed.
¬ In 1990, Saddam Hussein of Iraq invaded Kuwait. Attacking a pro-American country and coveting its oil was a provocation that crossed America's "red line." Despite America's warning that "if you don't withdraw, you will face terrible consequences," Saddam said, "America won't even have time to put on their shoes when they run away." Saddam, with his arrogance, thought that America would not go to war because of the "nightmare of the Vietnam War." Saddam was destroyed within 100 hours and was later executed a few years later. After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, it became widely known that the United States threatened to "take Pakistan back to the Stone Age" for not adequately cooperating with its invasion of Afghanistan.
¬ Soon after the arrest of the Venezuelan president, the White House in the United States posted on social media a post featuring a black-and-white photo of Trump, with the words "FAFO," meaning "[Try to challenge us]" (F*** Around and Find Out). Although vulgar, it is a straightforward expression of the brutal nature of international politics. Everyone understands it, but no one says it so directly. However, Trump has another nickname, "TACO," which means "Trump Always Chickens Out."
¬ Seeing the neighboring city-states of Melos gather around Sparta after Athens' massacre led to Athens' defeat and decline. On the contrary, Hungary, which did not understand the politics of strong countries, moved away from the center of history, and Iraq remains in chaos to this day. The world order is now in a period of rapid change.
Source: Chosun Ilbo
Original: toutiao.com/article/1853645731528776/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author alone.