George Bush’S Great America [EN]: Chapter 258

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“This world revolves entirely around money. Or does it?”

Bush said casually, moving his pen across the document approval form.

“That’s not like you to say, Mr. President.”
The Chief of Staff, handing over the next document, stated his thoughts calmly.

“But it’s not wrong. Yes, that’s right. Everything revolves around money. There are definitely times when it doesn’t, but proportionally, it’s extremely limited and confined. Especially since entering the 21st century.”

As he said that, not everything truly revolves around money alone. For example, a parent’s unconditional love. This kind of love is never about money. Sometimes there are conditions attached to parental love, but that’s only a small part.

However, if something significant happens, even a parent’s love can be strained. Even then, having money can smooth the process of giving and receiving that love.

“But why are you bringing this up?”

It was strange that this topic came up now. It seemed out of the blue. Just a moment ago, they were discussing Georgia, and beyond that, the fate of West Asia.

Georgia had completely slipped from America’s grasp. Although it had never truly been in America’s hands to begin with, it was no exaggeration to say that, using this opportunity, it wouldn’t come under American influence for at least half a century, maybe even a century. Even if the EU were to dissolve, they would still be under European influence.

“You’ll understand when you see what’s in your hand.”

It was the document he had just handed over. As the President said, he knew what it was without even looking at it closely. After all, he had organized it. To summarize the contents of that five-page document in one line, it would be:

Help me! American soldier!

– Afghanistan

Was that too brief? Let’s elaborate a bit. In fact, Afghanistan had little else to offer. If they wanted American aid, they had no choice but to rely solely on American recognition. Thus, they sent an official document filled with diplomatic rhetoric about future growth potential and the benefits that would accrue to the United States if they remained an ally. This five-page document was the ‘analysis’ of that.

Bush had decided to focus on domestic affairs during this term. Thus, when aid was reduced, the growth rate, which had been endlessly rising due to foreign capital, naturally took a hit. Afghanistan had quickly bowed down.

“To expect *renqing* [human sentiment or favor] in diplomacy, when you can’t even build a base domestically? It doesn’t make sense.”

“It’s not entirely nonsensical. To be precise, it’s based on mutual trust rather than *renqing*. There are those who resist with meager strength against immense violence for unreasonable reasons.”

Like Joseon [ancient Korean kingdom] trying to maintain its trust with Ming [Chinese dynasty] during the war with Qing [another Chinese dynasty], although this case was a bit different. There was no long-standing relationship, and they weren’t even neighbors.

All Afghanistan could offer to the United States was its future and its strategic location to pressure China and Russia.

Even if the United States were to let go right now, Afghanistan was confident that it could win against Pakistan, its immediate neighbor and virtual enemy.

Of course, without nuclear weapons. No matter what, Iran would be a bit much, but this was also a problem that time could solve.

Originally legitimate, but in reality, the diplomatic relations of a country that suddenly appeared out of nowhere were not very good.

It was no exaggeration to say that they were at odds with Iran, and they couldn’t be on good terms with Pakistan while being on good terms with India. They were somewhat awkward with Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan.

Afghanistan could be established because of India and the United States. It was still difficult for them to fully establish themselves on their own.

And India. In India’s case, as long as Afghanistan didn’t become enemies with the United States, they were likely to side with Afghanistan in everything. That’s because they could completely corner Pakistan.

Unlike in the original timeline, Pakistan was still struggling economically because it had been focused on pressuring China and Russia from the beginning. The economic sanctions that should have been lifted with the opening of the airspace were still in place.

This was because the US intended to completely bring India to its side. India was not the kind of country that could coexist peacefully with Pakistan. So, if you wanted to be close to one, you had to abandon the other.

And of course, if you were to choose one of the two as an ally or friendly nation, wouldn’t it be India?

However, since they couldn’t completely cut ties, they provided some of the F-16s that had not been delivered to Pakistan free of charge. Besides, even if they restored relations now, relations with Pakistan would inevitably deteriorate in the end. In fact, since 2016, the United States and Pakistan had moved away from their restored relationship and were on a path of deterioration.

Returning to the story of Afghanistan, the only card that Afghanistan could play to the United States was its geographical value. Even that was virtually meaningless because India, which was cooperative with the United States, was already there.

That’s why there was so much debate in Congress.

“But I don’t think we should invest the enormous tax revenue of the United States in Afghanistan for that reason.”

And the Chief of Staff felt the same way.

“Well, we won’t cut off aid immediately as they worry or as Congress thinks. In the future, Afghanistan will be a powerful card. That’s what I intend to make it.”

At least half a century from now, the generation will change and they will forget that gratitude, but that half-century was enough. Even if the people forget, the government will not forget. That is the national keynote. The keynote does not change with ordinary events.

A ‘powerful card’ meant the Afghanistan of the future, not the Afghanistan of today. Bush was convinced that Afghanistan would not remain an economically weak country as it was. And speaking of weak countries, if the United States continues to support them for about 10 years, no, even just 5 more years, they will grow on their own.

Already, in terms of military power, it was the most powerful among the surrounding countries, except for traditional powers such as Iran, India, and Russia. If they don’t do stupid things for political or other reasons, they can easily unilaterally beat them up.

“Is the nuclear agreement with India and NPT [Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty] accession being properly pursued?”

Although the agreement was just a piece of paper, Bush had no intention of condoning India’s nuclear weapons without NPT accession.

And India wouldn’t just try to get it for free, and would probably ask for additional help in the economic sector. Or it could be in the military sector.

In fact, they were already cooperating in the military sector, especially with weapons like the Arjun tank and the Tejas fighter. In reality, they were simply overhauling everything from the frame, and INASA [Indian National Aeronautics and Space Administration] was simply making it a black mark on history and starting new weapons development. However, there were also moves to introduce foreign rifles.

The United States offered to help produce the M4 under license at a low price if they wanted, but they stubbornly refused, perhaps because their pride would not allow them to do so with individual firearms.

“Thanks to your foresight, Mr. President, it is proceeding smoothly.”

Hearing that, Bush felt goosebumps on his arm and trembled all over.

“Crazy talk. Foresight, my ass.”

“If it’s foresight, it’s foresight. Frankly speaking, this cooperation was largely due to the fact that China was crushed in advance.”

In this case, it’s more accurate to say that they just beat them up well than foresight, but anyway, since the United States is completely at odds with China, India’s view of the United States could only be softer, not worse. In the meantime, they even formed a military alliance, so the relationship between India and the United States was closer than ever.

Congress and public opinion are in an uproar, saying that India should have a more advanced cultural level, but Bush didn’t think so. After all, a democratic government or any other government was all the same. It’s just a matter of pretending to be gentle on the outside or not.

“The idea that democracy is great is an illusion. Or is it?”

“I don’t know why democracy suddenly came up, but at least when you speak in public, you should package it differently. For example, ‘I fully respect other forms of government,’ or something like that.”

It was truly an exemplary answer. A few years ago, the words ‘excluding the communist bloc’ would have been added in front, but now a more respectful choice of words was needed. It was cumbersome, but that was politics.

“I know, I know.”

“Then why do you change things when you give a speech? Ignoring the speech we worked so hard to write.”

“…Sometimes bold revisions are necessary to suit the situation.”

That wasn’t entirely wrong. One or two lines could be omitted to suit the atmosphere or timing of the scene.

“Still, removing three out of seven pages was not a good idea.”

That’s because Bush’s speech was not only omitted, but also recreated.

“No, man. I just summarized the seven pages into four pages. I didn’t omit the content itself.”

In fact, he was a bit annoyed with the speech, but more than that, he was more afraid of the documents that would be piling up in his office in real time while he was giving the speech. Now that it has been reduced to less than half, such a thing has disappeared, but at that time, it was really scary enough to make his spine chill.

In fact, he had volunteered for it, so if you go into the details, he had nothing to say.

“Don’t worry. That doesn’t mean the speech will be poor. Rather, shouldn’t you achieve peace in your family?”

Hearing that, Bush deliberately pretended not to understand.

Since last year, she had really been constantly touring the country, working tirelessly. He sees her face often, but that doesn’t mean she’s as affectionate as she used to be. However, because her husband’s job is like that, she just treats him like a wild goose father [father who works abroad to support his family].

But Laura Bush was never stupid. Perhaps she was far wiser than Bush in certain areas. Seeing that the complaints were steadily decreasing wherever she went, she had a great ability.

However, apart from her understanding of Bush’s busyness, Laura was also human. As the body moves away, the mind inevitably moves away as well. This would not lead to divorce or discord, but it was causing Laura considerable stress.

“Well, soon… no, I mean.”

“Why is someone who is going to achieve world peace so two-faced? Achieve peace in your family before world peace.”

Bush took a day off that day.