One of the oddities of “the realist” school of international relations in America is how profoundly unrealistic its proponents’ policy prescriptions typically are. The latest example of this phenomenon is found in the new issue of Foreign Affairs in an article written by Charles Glaser of George Washington University, entitled, “Will China’s Rise Lead to War? Why Realism Does Not Mean Pessimism.”

Getting the most attention is Glaser’s suggestion that, to avoid a military confrontation with China, Washington should consider what concessions it can make to Beijing, with the most important of these being backing away from any commitment to help defend Taiwan. In so doing, Glaser argues, the United States would “remove the most obvious and contentious flash point between the United States and China and smooth the way for better relations.” And not just now but “in the decades to come.”