The_AT China_NP1 Dream_VV0 Why_RRQ the_AT Middle_JJ Kingdom_NN1 is_VBZ n't_XX really_RR taking_VVG over_II the_AT world_NN1 ._. 
The_AT rise_NN1 of_IO China_NP1 is_VBZ ,_, as_CSA we_PPIS2 all_DB know_VV0 by_RT21 now_RT22 ,_, the_AT definitive_JJ economic_JJ and_CC political_JJ story_NN1 of_IO our_APPGE time_NNT1 ._. 
Every_AT1 week_NNT1 a_AT1 new_JJ book_NN1 title_NN1 announces_VVZ an_AT1 "_" irresistible_JJ "_" tilt_NN1 east_ND1 ,_, the_AT emergence_NN1 of_IO "_" Chimerica_NP1 "_" and_CC a_AT1 not-too-distant_JJ future_NN1 when_CS China_NP1 "_" rules_VVZ "_" the_AT planet_NN1 ._. 
The_AT mainstream_JJ media_NN ,_, and_CC especially_RR the_AT business_NN1 press_NN1 ,_, are_VBR gripped_VVN by_II the_AT narrative_NN1 of_IO China_NP1 taking_VVG over_II the_AT world_NN1 --_NN1 every_AT1 other_JJ headline_NN1 in_II the_AT Financial_JJ Times_NNT2 and_CC The_AT Wall_NP1 Street_NNL1 Journal_NN1 has_VHZ a_AT1 China_NN1 focus_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB the_AT coverage_NN1 of_IO China_NP1 's_GE global_JJ inroads_NN2 has_VHZ been_VBN profoundly_RR short_JJ on_II context_NN1 ,_, particularly_RR when_CS it_PPH1 comes_VVZ to_II how_RRQ China_NP1 is_VBZ --_JJ and_CC is_VBZ not_XX --_JJ surpassing_VVG the_AT U.S._NP1 as_II a_AT1 global_JJ power_NN1 ._. 
There_EX are_VBR plenty_PN of_IO stories_NN2 of_IO a_AT1 Chinese-sponsored_JJ infrastructure_NN1 project_NN1 or_CC a_AT1 Chinese_JJ company_NN1 cutting_VVG a_AT1 deal_NN1 to_TO feed_VVI its_APPGE "_" insatiable_JJ thirst_NN1 "_" for_IF raw_JJ materials_NN2 ,_, while_CS Western_JJ involvement_NN1 of_IO similar_JJ or_CC greater_JJR magnitude_NN1 is_VBZ lucky_JJ to_TO make_VVI a_AT1 headline_NN1 at_RR21 all_RR22 ._. 
Meanwhile_RR ,_, a_AT1 close_JJ look_NN1 at_II the_AT key_JJ economic_JJ metrics_NN2 and_CC the_AT subtler_JJR shades_NN2 of_IO power_NN1 ,_, such_II21 as_II22 cultural_JJ influence_NN1 and_CC humanitarian_JJ aid_NN1 ,_, reveals_VVZ that_CST while_CS China_NP1 is_VBZ indeed_RR one_MC1 of_IO the_AT great_JJ powers_NN2 in_II the_AT world_NN1 now_RT (_( late_JJ last_MD month_NNT1 it_PPH1 officially_RR overtook_VVD Japan_NP1 as_II the_AT world_NN1 's_GE second-largest_JJT economy_NN1 )_) ,_, its_APPGE influence_NN1 is_VBZ mixed_VVN ,_, and_CC often_RR undercut_VVN by_II America_NP1 's_GE ._. 
While_CS China_NP1 's_GE trade_NN1 with_IW regions_NN2 like_II Africa_NP1 and_CC Latin_JJ America_NP1 is_VBZ growing_VVG exponentially_RR ,_, it_PPH1 is_VBZ still_RR outpaced_VVN by_II America_NP1 's_GE ,_, which_DDQ tends_VVZ to_TO be_VBI more_RGR diverse_JJ ._. 
In_II Asia_NP1 ,_, China_NP1 is_VBZ now_RT the_AT dominant_JJ trading_NN1 partner_NN1 ,_, yet_RR the_AT flows_NN2 are_VBR mainly_RR in_II low-end_JJ goods_NN2 ,_, while_CS America_NP1 dominates_VVZ higher_JJR up_II the_AT food_NN1 chain_NN1 ._. 
U.S._NP1 aid_NN1 and_CC foreign_JJ direct_JJ investment_NN1 in_II these_DD2 regions_NN2 still_RR eclipses_VVZ that_DD1 of_IO the_AT Chinese_JJ ,_, and_CC its_APPGE soft_JJ power_NN1 still_RR reigns_VVZ ,_, as_CSA does_VDZ its_APPGE military_JJ might_NN1 ,_, despite_II recent_JJ Chinese_JJ buildups_NN2 in_II this_DD1 area_NN1 ._. 
"_" Economic_JJ heft_NN1 alone_RR has_VHZ never_RR been_VBN enough_RR for_IF a_AT1 country_NN1 to_TO be_VBI dominant_JJ outside_II its_APPGE borders_NN2 ,_, "_" says_VVZ Charles_NP1 Onyango-Obbo_NP1 ,_, a_AT1 journalist_NN1 who_PNQS writes_VVZ for_IF the_AT weekly_JJ newspaper_NN1 The_AT East_NP1 African_JJ ._. 
He_PPHS1 recently_RR penned_VVD a_AT1 column_NN1 titled_VVN "_" Chinese_JJ Takeover_NN1 ?_? 
I_PPIS1 'm_VBM Not_XX Losing_VVG Any_DD Sleep_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" It_PPH1 's_VHZ really_RR been_VBN American_JJ education_NN1 ,_, technology_NN1 ,_, culture_NN1 &lsqb;_( Hollywood_NP1 and_CC music_NN1 &rsqb;_) ,_, business_NN1 ,_, and_CC sport_NN1 that_CST has_VHZ enabled_VVN it_PPH1 to_TO be_VBI so_RG overarching_JJ ,_, "_" says_VVZ Onyango-Obbo_NP1 ._. 
"_" China_NP1 is_VBZ going_VVGK to_TO be_VBI a_AT1 very_RG important_JJ power_NN1 in_II the_AT world_NN1 ,_, but_CCB it_PPH1 will_VM not_XX be_VBI dominant_JJ ._. "_" 
Perhaps_RR nowhere_RL is_VBZ this_RG more_RGR apparent_JJ than_CSN in_II Africa_NP1 ,_, where_RRQ China_NP1 has_VHZ been_VBN depicted_VVN as_II the_AT shrewd_JJ winner_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 neocolonial_JJ scramble_VV0 for_IF resources_NN2 ,_, offering_VVG developmental_JJ assistance_NN1 --_NN1 mainly_RR in_II the_AT form_NN1 of_IO low-priced_JJ manufactured_JJ goods_NN2 ,_, infrastructure_NN1 investment_NN1 ,_, and_CC soft_JJ loans_NN2 --_NN1 all_DB proffered_VVD with_IW no_AT pesky_JJ Western-style_JJ demands_NN2 to_TO respect_VVI human_JJ rights_NN2 ._. 
In_II exchange_NN1 ,_, China_NP1 gets_VVZ access_NN1 to_II raw_JJ materials_NN2 to_II fuel_NN1 its_APPGE economic_JJ boom_NN1 ._. 
No_RR21 doubt_RR22 China_NP1 's_GE presence_NN1 on_II the_AT continent_NN1 has_VHZ expanded_VVN considerably_RR in_II recent_JJ years_NNT2 ._. 
But_CCB the_AT U.S._NP1 remains_VVZ sub-Saharan_JJ Africa_NP1 's_GE largest_JJT trading_NN1 partner_NN1 ,_, accounting_VVG for_IF 15_MC percent_NNU of_IO Africa_NP1 's_GE total_JJ trade_NN1 versus_II 10_MC percent_NNU for_IF the_AT Chinese_JJ (_( it_PPH1 's_VBZ also_RR worth_II noting_VVG that_CST Africa_NP1 has_VHZ been_VBN a_AT1 low_JJ trading_NN1 priority_NN1 for_IF the_AT U.S._NP1 ,_, accounting_VVG for_IF a_AT1 mere_JJ 2_MC percent_NNU of_IO its_APPGE global_JJ trade_NN1 )_) ._. 
Indeed_RR ,_, the_AT bulk_NN1 of_IO China-Africa_NP1 trade_NN1 is_VBZ made_VVN up_RP of_IO Chinese_JJ oil_NN1 imports_NN2 from_II five_MC countries_NN2 ,_, and_CC even_RR with_II31 respect_II32 to_II33 oil_NN1 --_NN1 said_VVD to_TO be_VBI at_II the_AT heart_NN1 of_IO China_NP1 's_GE drive_NN1 on_II the_AT continent_NN1 --_NN1 America_NP1 holds_VVZ a_AT1 sizable_JJ lead_NN1 ._. 
China_NP1 imports_NN2 17_MC percent_NNU of_IO all_DB African_JJ oil_NN1 compared_VVN with_IW 29_MC percent_NNU for_IF the_AT U.S._NP1 (_( and_CC 35_MC percent_NNU for_IF Europe_NP1 )_) ._. 
Western_JJ companies_NN2 are_VBR the_AT leading_JJ foreign_JJ partners_NN2 in_II oil_NN1 projects_NN2 in_II Nigeria_NP1 ,_, which_DDQ is_VBZ sub-Saharan_JJ Africa_NP1 's_GE largest_JJT oil_NN1 producer_NN1 ,_, and_CC in_II the_AT continent_NN1 's_GE largest_JJT emerging_JJ oil_NN1 producers_NN2 such_II21 as_II22 Ghana_NP1 and_CC Uganda_NP1 ._. 
This_DD1 trend_NN1 may_VM well_RR continue_VVI ,_, in_RR21 part_RR22 because_II21 of_II22 allegations_NN2 of_IO corruption_NN1 and_CC shoddy_JJ execution_NN1 in_II a_AT1 number_NN1 of_IO Chinese_JJ energy_NN1 and_CC infrastructure_NN1 projects_NN2 throughout_II Africa_NP1 ._. 
An_AT1 $8_NNU billion_NNO Chinese-sponsored_JJ road_NN1 and_CC mine_NN1 project_NN1 in_II Congo_NP1 ,_, deemed_VVN the_AT "_" Marshall_NP1 Plan_NN1 of_IO Africa_NP1 "_" when_CS it_PPH1 was_VBDZ unveiled_VVN a_AT1 couple_NN1 of_IO years_NNT2 ago_RA ,_, has_VHZ been_VBN tainted_VVN by_II allegations_NN2 of_IO corruption_NN1 and_CC poor_JJ implementation_NN1 ,_, as_CSA has_VHZ a_AT1 massive_JJ Chinese-funded_JJ fiber-optic_JJ project_NN1 in_II Uganda_NP1 ._. 
A_AT1 recent_JJ study_NN1 from_II the_AT African_JJ Labor_NN1 Research_NN1 Network_NN1 ,_, called_VVN "_" Chinese_JJ Investments_NN2 in_II Africa_NP1 :_: A_ZZ1 Labour_JJ Perspective_NN1 ,_, "_" looked_VVN at_II labor_NN1 conditions_NN2 at_II Chinese_JJ companies_NN2 in_II 10_MC African_JJ countries_NN2 and_CC found_VVD them_PPHO2 "_" among_II the_AT worst_JJT employers_NN2 everywhere_RL ,_, "_" according_II21 to_II22 the_AT report_NN1 's_GE author_NN1 ,_, Herbert_NP1 Jauch_NP1 ._. 
Disenchantment_NN1 with_IW the_AT Middle_JJ Kingdom_NN1 is_VBZ particularly_RR strong_JJ in_II Angola_NP1 and_CC Nigeria_NP1 ,_, which_DDQ a_AT1 few_DA2 years_NNT2 ago_RA were_VBDR both_DB2 tilting_VVG China_NP1 's_GE way_NN1 ,_, lured_VVN by_II the_AT promise_NN1 of_IO soft_JJ ,_, unconditional_JJ development_NN1 loans_NN2 and_CC noninterference_NN1 in_II domestic_JJ politics_NN1 ._. 
Two-way_JJ trade_NN1 between_II China_NP1 and_CC Nigeria_NP1 doubled_VVD to_II $7_NNU billion_NNO between_II 2006_MC and_CC 2008_MC (_( though_CS still_RR dwarfed_VVD by_II $42_NNU billion_NNO with_IW the_AT U.S._NP1 in_II 2008_MC )_) ._. 
Yet_RR Nigeria_NP1 's_GE late_JJ president_NN1 Umaru_NP1 Yar'Adua_NP1 ended_VVD up_RP canceling_VVG a_AT1 number_NN1 of_IO the_AT projects_NN2 due_II21 to_II22 scandals_NN2 and_CC delays_NN2 ._. 
Washington_NP1 has_VHZ been_VBN quietly_RR capitalizing_VVG ;_; according_II21 to_II22 the_AT U.S._NP1 Department_NN1 of_IO Commerce_NN1 ,_, exports_VVZ to_II Nigeria_NP1 have_VH0 risen_VVN 48_MC percent_NNU and_CC imports_NN2 (_( consisting_VVG predominantly_RR of_IO oil_NN1 )_) by_II 16_MC percent_NNU this_DD1 year_NNT1 alone_JJ ._. 
The_AT situation_NN1 is_VBZ the_AT same_DA in_II Angola_NP1 ,_, where_RRQ Angolan_JJ Rafael_NP1 Marques_NP1 de_NP1 Morais_NP1 ,_, founder_NN1 of_IO Maka_NP1 ,_, which_DDQ monitors_VVZ corruption_NN1 in_II the_AT country_NN1 ,_, says_VVZ ,_, "_" Corruption_NN1 and_CC a_AT1 lack_NN1 of_IO accountability_NN1 on_II China-Angola_NP1 deals_NN2 have_VH0 undermined_VVN a_AT1 more_RGR sustainable_JJ and_CC long-term_JJ relationship_NN1 between_II the_AT two_MC countries_NN2 ._. "_" 
He_PPHS1 points_VVZ to_II the_AT General_JJ Hospital_NN1 built_VVN by_II Chinese_JJ contractors_NN2 in_II Luanda_NP1 ,_, the_AT capital_NN1 's_GE first_MD new_JJ hospital_NN1 since_CS independence_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ "_" four_MC years_NNT2 after_II its_APPGE inauguration_NN1 is_VBZ basically_RR collapsing_VVG ._. "_" 
In_II July_NPM1 patients_NN2 and_CC staff_NN were_VBDR evacuated_VVN due_II21 to_II22 safety_NN1 concerns_NN2 ._. 
Once_RR21 again_RR22 ,_, Washington_NP1 moved_VVD to_TO exploit_VVI disenchantment_NN1 with_IW Beijing_NP1 ,_, meeting_VVG with_IW Angolan_JJ officials_NN2 in_II June_NPM1 to_TO discuss_VVI ways_NN2 to_TO deepen_VVI and_CC diversify_VVI trade_NN1 ,_, and_CC pushing_VVG a_AT1 newly_RR signed_VVD IMF_NP1 agreement_NN1 of_IO understanding_VVG that_CST may_VM lead_VVI to_II fresh_JJ loans_NN2 from_II Western_JJ banks_NN2 ._. 
This_DD1 underscores_VVZ America_NP1 's_GE deeper_JJR and_CC more_RGR diversified_JJ engagement_NN1 not_XX only_RR with_IW Africa_NP1 ,_, but_CCB many_DA2 other_JJ parts_NN2 of_IO the_AT world_NN1 ,_, via_II international_JJ institutions_NN2 as_II31 well_II32 as_II33 humanitarian_JJ aid_NN1 and_CC military_JJ assistance_NN1 ._. 
Despite_II high-profile_JJ ties_NN2 with_IW Zimbabwe_NP1 and_CC Sudan_NP1 ,_, China_NP1 has_VHZ little_RR military_JJ presence_NN1 in_II Africa_NP1 and_CC almost_RR none_PN in_II Latin_JJ America_NP1 ,_, and_CC is_VBZ still_RR overshadowed_VVN by_II the_AT U.S._NP1 even_RR within_II its_APPGE own_DA backyard_NN1 ._. 
Last_MD month_NNT1 in_II Hanoi_NP1 ,_, for_REX21 instance_REX22 ,_, the_AT U.S._NP1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 welcome_JJ presence_NN1 at_II the_AT ASEAN_JJ Regional_JJ Forum_NN1 ,_, Asia_NP1 's_GE largest_JJT security_NN1 meeting_NN1 ,_, amid_II growing_JJ concerns_NN2 about_II China_NP1 's_GE military_JJ buildup_NN1 and_CC its_APPGE claims_NN2 to_II the_AT disputed_JJ Paracel_NP1 and_CC Spratly_JJ islands_NN2 ,_, which_DDQ are_VBR also_RR claimed_VVN in_RR21 part_RR22 by_II Taiwan_NP1 ,_, Vietnam_NP1 ,_, Brunei_NP1 ,_, Malaysia_NP1 ,_, and_CC the_AT Philippines_NP ._. 
Obama_NN1 plans_VVZ to_TO invite_VVI ASEAN_JJ leaders_NN2 to_II a_AT1 second_NNT1 U.S._NP1 ASEAN_NP1 meeting_NN1 in_II the_AT fall_NN1 ,_, and_CC ASEAN_JJ foreign_JJ ministers_NN2 have_VH0 invited_VVN the_AT U.S._NP1 to_II a_AT1 regional_JJ dialogue_NN1 ,_, known_VVN as_II the_AT East_ND1 Asia_NP1 Summit_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ diplomats_NN2 reportedly_RR said_VVN would_VM help_VVI counter_JJ Chinese_JJ influence_NN1 in_II the_AT region_NN1 ._. 
Washington_NP1 recently_RR boosted_VVN humanitarian_JJ and_CC military_JJ aid_NN1 to_II Laos_NP1 and_CC Cambodia_NP1 and_CC removed_VVD them_PPHO2 from_II a_AT1 trade_NN1 blacklist_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ should_VM attract_VVI more_RRR U.S._NP1 investment_NN1 ._. 
And_CC in_II July_NPM1 Vietnam_NP1 's_GE Deputy_NN1 Prime_JJ Minister_NN1 Pham_NP1 Gia_NP1 Khiem_NP1 said_VVD America_NP1 and_CC Vietnam_NP1 are_VBR "_" leaving_VVG the_AT past_NN1 behind_RL "_" as_CSA they_PPHS2 strengthen_VV0 commercial_JJ and_CC military_JJ ties_NN2 ._. 
Their_APPGE two-way_JJ trade_NN1 leapt_VVD from_II $2.91_NNU billion_NNO in_II 2002_MC to_II $15.4_NNU billion_NNO last_MD year_NNT1 ._. 
The_AT U.S._NP1 has_VHZ made_VVN similar_JJ progress_NN1 with_IW Indonesia_NP1 ,_, signing_VVG an_AT1 agreement_NN1 in_II April_NPM1 that_DD1 will_VM allow_VVI greater_JJR American_JJ capital_NN1 flows_VVZ into_II Southeast_ND1 Asia_NP1 's_GE largest_JJT economy_NN1 ._. 
Of_RR21 course_RR22 ,_, Asia_NP1 is_VBZ still_RR the_AT one_MC1 region_NN1 in_II the_AT world_NN1 where_CS China_NP1 now_RT dominates_VVZ regional_JJ trade_NN1 --_JJ overall_JJ trade_NN1 between_II China_NP1 and_CC the_AT rest_NN1 of_IO the_AT continent_NN1 hit_VVD $231_NNU billion_NNO versus_II the_AT U.S._NP1 's_GE $178_NNU billion_NNO in_II 2008_MC ._. 
But_CCB most_DAT of_IO the_AT flows_NN2 are_VBR in_II intermediary_NN1 goods_NN2 of_IO low_JJ value_NN1 (_( China_NP1 buys_VVZ cheap_JJ components_NN2 and_CC raw_JJ materials_NN2 from_II poorer_JJR nations_NN2 and_CC uses_VVZ them_PPHO2 to_TO make_VVI products_NN2 for_IF export_NN1 ,_, just_RR as_CSA it_PPH1 supplies_VVZ the_AT same_DA to_II richer_JJR nations_NN2 like_II South_ND1 Korea_NP1 )_) ._. 
This_DD1 trade_NN1 does_VDZ not_XX foster_VVI the_AT skills_NN2 transfer_VV0 that_DD1 Southeast_ND1 Asian_JJ countries_NN2 so_RG desperately_RR need_VV0 in_II their_APPGE bid_NN1 to_TO move_VVI up_RP the_AT technology_NN1 ladder_NN1 ._. 
Countries_NN2 such_II21 as_II22 Malaysia_NP1 ,_, Singapore_NP1 ,_, Vietnam_NP1 ,_, Thailand_NP1 ,_, and_CC Indonesia_NP1 still_RR rely_VV0 on_II entrepreneurial_JJ ,_, technological_JJ ,_, and_CC educational_JJ engagement_NN1 with_IW the_AT U.S._NP1 for_IF that_DD1 ._. 
And_CC America_NP1 still_RR accounts_VVZ for_IF a_AT1 far_RG greater_JJR chunk_NN1 of_IO regional_JJ foreign_JJ direct_JJ investment_NN1 --_NN1 8.5_MC percent_NNU versus_II China_NP1 's_GE 3.8_MC percent_NNU ,_, or_CC $3.4_NNU billion_NNO to_II $1.5_NNU billion_NNO ,_, in_II 2009_MC ._. 
Experts_NN2 such_II21 as_II22 Elizabeth_NP1 Economy_NN1 ,_, director_NN1 of_IO Asia_NP1 studies_NN2 for_IF the_AT Council_NN1 on_II Foreign_JJ Relations_NN2 ,_, believe_VV0 that_CST the_AT moves_NN2 toward_II closer_JJR U.S._NP1 political_JJ ,_, economic_JJ ,_, and_CC security_NN1 cooperation_NN1 in_II Southeast_ND1 Asia_NP1 will_VM continue_VVI ._. 
"_" There_EX 's_VBZ no_AT intention_NN1 of_IO wasting_VVG the_AT opportunity_NN1 ,_, "_" she_PPHS1 says_VVZ ._. 
In_II other_JJ places_NN2 where_RRQ China_NP1 is_VBZ increasingly_RR prominent_JJ economically_RR ,_, such_II21 as_II22 Latin_JJ America_NP1 ,_, the_AT U.S._NP1 still_RR has_VHZ important_JJ cards_NN2 to_TO play_VVI as_RR21 well_RR22 ._. 
Last_MD year_NNT1 China_NP1 replaced_VVD the_AT U.S._NP1 as_CSA Brazil_NP1 's_GE leading_JJ trading_NN1 partner_NN1 ,_, and_CC it_PPH1 's_VBZ now_RT the_AT second-largest_JJT trading_NN1 partner_NN1 in_II Venezuela_NP1 ,_, Chile_NP1 ,_, Peru_NP1 ,_, Costa_NP1 Rica_NP1 ,_, and_CC Argentina_NP1 ._. 
But_CCB while_CS Asia_NP1 's_GE overall_JJ trade_NN1 with_IW the_AT region_NN1 (_( driven_VVN largely_RR by_II China_NP1 )_) rose_VVD 96_MC percent_NNU over_II the_AT past_JJ decade_NNT1 ,_, the_AT U.S._NP1 saw_VVD an_AT1 even_RR greater_JJR rise_NN1 --_NN1 118_MC percent_NNU --_NN1 in_II total_JJ trade_NN1 ._. 
And_CC according_II21 to_II22 Shanghai_NP1 's_GE SinoLatin_NP1 Capital_NN1 ,_, China_NP1 's_GE accumulated_JJ investment_NN1 in_II Latin_JJ America_NP1 by_II the_AT close_NN1 of_IO 2008_MC was_VBDZ a_AT1 mere_JJ $12_NNU billion_NNO --_JJ or_CC less_DAR than_CSN the_AT state_NN1 of_IO Michigan_NP1 invests_VVZ in_II the_AT region_NN1 ,_, according_II21 to_II22 China_NP1 Economic_JJ Review_NN1 ._. 
As_CSA in_II many_DA2 regions_NN2 ,_, there_EX are_VBR cultural_JJ and_CC geographical_JJ barriers_NN2 to_II closer_JJR China-Latin_NN1 America_NP1 relations_NN2 ._. 
"_" The_AT U.S._NP1 and_CC Latin_JJ America_NP1 are_VBR doomed_VVN to_TO live_VVI closely_RR together_RL ,_, and_CC China_NP1 can_VM never_RR compete_VVI with_IW that_DD1 ,_, "_" says_VVZ Kevin_NP1 Casas-Zamora_NP1 ,_, a_AT1 Latin_JJ America_NP1 expert_NN1 with_IW the_AT Brookings_NP1 Institution_NN1 ._. 
America_NP1 's_GE soft-power_JJ appeal_NN1 in_II the_AT region_NN1 dwarfs_VVZ China_NP1 's_GE ,_, resonating_VVG through_II popular_JJ culture_NN1 ,_, language_NN1 ,_, and_CC ideals_NN2 ._. 
Most_DAT Latin_JJ American_JJ countries_NN2 are_VBR functioning_VVG or_CC aspiring_JJ democracies_NN2 ,_, and_CC despite_II China_NP1 's_GE attempts_NN2 to_TO attract_VVI interest_NN1 in_II Chinese_JJ language_NN1 and_CC culture_NN1 via_II Confucius_NP1 Institutes_NN2 (_( 300_MC are_VBR being_VBG rolled_VVN out_RP around_II the_AT world_NN1 ,_, including_II 21_MC in_II Latin_JJ America_NP1 )_) ,_, there_RL remain_VV0 few_DA2 Chinese_JJ speakers_NN2 in_II Latin_JJ America_NP1 and_CC Spanish_JJ speakers_NN2 in_II China_NP1 ._. 
Soft_JJ power_NN1 is_VBZ also_RR very_RG much_DA1 at_II play_NN1 in_II Africa_NP1 ,_, particularly_RR given_VVN President_NNB Obama_NP1 's_GE connection_NN1 to_II the_AT region_NN1 (_( everything_PN1 from_II restaurants_NN2 to_II car_NN1 washes_NN2 are_VBR named_VVN after_II him_PPHO1 )_) ._. 
Signs_NN2 of_IO American_JJ culture_NN1 ,_, from_II film_NN1 to_II music_NN1 to_TO fashion_VVI ,_, permeate_VV0 the_AT region_NN1 ._. 
African_JJ students_NN2 still_JJ dream_NN1 of_IO going_VVG to_II the_AT U.S._NP1 to_TO study_VVI ,_, and_CC English_NN1 is_VBZ very_RG much_RR the_AT language_NN1 to_TO learn_VVI ._. 
What_DDQ 's_VBZ more_RRR ,_, the_AT U.S._NP1 still_RR tends_VVZ to_TO be_VBI the_AT country_NN1 to_TO call_VVI when_RRQ there_EX is_VBZ trouble_NN1 ._. 
Consider_VV0 the_AT terrorist_JJ bombings_NN2 in_II Kampala_NP1 ,_, Uganda_NP1 ,_, that_CST left_VVD more_DAR than_CSN 85_MC people_NN dead_JJ this_DD1 summer_NNT1 ._. 
President_NNB Yoweri_NP1 Museveni_NP1 had_VHD been_VBN trading_VVG barbs_NN2 with_IW Washington_NP1 prior_II21 to_II22 the_AT incident_NN1 about_II the_AT pace_NN1 of_IO democratic_JJ reforms_NN2 in_II his_APPGE country_NN1 ._. 
Museveni_NN2 had_VHD also_RR been_VBN tightening_VVG relations_NN2 with_IW China_NP1 ._. 
But_CCB after_CS the_AT bombings_NN2 ,_, he_PPHS1 swiftly_RR turned_VVN not_XX to_II Beijing_NP1 but_CCB to_II Washington_NP1 for_IF assistance_NN1 ,_, and_CC received_VVD $24_NNU million_NNO in_II manpower_NN1 and_CC technical_JJ resources_NN2 ._. 
This_DD1 sort_NN1 of_IO effort_NN1 ,_, particularly_RR when_CS contrasted_VVN with_IW China_NP1 's_GE recent_JJ political_JJ bumbles_NN2 in_II Africa_NP1 and_CC elsewhere_RL (_( for_REX21 example_REX22 ,_, its_APPGE growing_JJ reputation_NN1 for_IF shoddy_JJ construction_NN1 work_NN1 in_II Africa_NP1 ;_; its_APPGE South_ND1 China_NP1 Sea_NNL1 squabbles_VVZ with_IW its_APPGE Asian_JJ neighbors_NN2 )_) ,_, makes_VVZ America_NP1 look_VVI good_JJ and_CC underscores_VVZ the_AT opportunity_NN1 for_IF it_PPH1 to_II better_JJR play_NN1 the_AT myriad_NN1 cards_NN2 it_PPH1 has_VHZ at_II its_APPGE disposal_NN1 --_JJ cultural_JJ ,_, military_JJ ,_, scientific_JJ ,_, and_CC economic_JJ ._. 
Many_DA2 of_IO these_DD2 were_VBDR underutilized_JJ or_CC misused_VVN during_II its_APPGE two_MC decades_NNT2 as_II the_AT world_NN1 's_GE lone_JJ superpower_NN1 ._. 
To_II the_AT extent_NN1 that_CST China_NP1 's_GE rise_NN1 forces_VVZ America_NP1 's_GE nimble_JJ reengagement_NN1 with_IW the_AT world_NN1 ,_, the_AT effect_NN1 may_VM be_VBI win-win_JJ ._. 
I_PPIS1 know_VV0 what_DDQ Folman_NP1 wants_VVZ to_TO do_VDI here_RL ,_, but_CCB it_PPH1 strikes_VVZ me_PPIO1 as_II a_AT1 mistake_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 has_VHZ already_RR admitted_VVN ,_, via_II Ori_NP1 's_GE tale_NN1 ,_, that_CST a_AT1 camera_NN1 can_VM both_RR present_VVI us_PPIO2 with_IW suffering_JJ and_CC shield_VVI us_PPIO2 from_II it_PPH1 (_( that_DD1 is_VBZ the_AT paradox_NN1 of_IO TV_NN1 )_) ,_, and_CC ,_, what_DDQ is_VBZ more_RRR ,_, we_PPIS2 have_VH0 spent_VVN the_AT past_JJ ninety_MC minutes_NNT2 coming_VVG to_II terms_NN2 with_IW the_AT style_NN1 and_CC the_AT conviction_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE filmmaking_NN1 ._. 
His_APPGE chosen_JJ idiom_NN1 ,_, with_IW its_APPGE jagged_JJ lines_NN2 and_CC its_APPGE unforgettable_JJ coloring_NN1 --_JJ sick_JJ yellows_NN2 and_CC bruised_JJ browns_NN2 ,_, like_II a_AT1 black_JJ eye_NN1 --_NN1 has_VHZ proved_VVN more_RRR than_CSN adequate_JJ to_II the_AT summoning_NN1 of_IO things_NN2 that_CST he_PPHS1 ,_, like_II some_DD of_IO his_APPGE countrymen_NN2 ,_, had_VHD fought_VVN to_TO forget_VVI ._. 
Why_RRQ scorn_NN1 it_PPH1 now_RT ?_? 
When_CS reality_NN1 bites_NN2 ,_, is_VBZ that_DD1 the_AT time_NNT1 for_IF the_AT artist_NN1 to_TO lay_VVI down_RP his_APPGE brush_NN1 ?_? 
