OPINION:
“2020 has been a horrible year, but America did not fall apart” (Web, Dec. 30) was a masterful indication of an experienced historian condensing recent events into an essay that future historians will be able to draw upon when reviewing the year 2020.
In the piece Victor Davis Hanson even manages to squeeze in a mention of good news by referring to the peace moves in the Middle East initiated by the Trump administration. Indeed, the year 2020 was remarkable for the fact that the Israeli/Palestinian disputes no longer dominated the headlines.
Regretfully, however I have to take issue with the other item of better news that was included: “The world is now pushing back against Chinese mercantilism.” It’s an odd conclusion on the same day it was reported that the European Union signed a preliminary business accord with China.
We have yet to see how the incoming Biden administration will treat China. Current indications are not promising that they would push back against Chinese mercantilism. Perhaps this all indicates that historians operate best when they stay with events that have already occurred.
STANLEY ORMAN
Rockville, Md.
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