Taking the Long View in a Time of Great Uncertainty: Living in Interesting Times

“May you live in interesting times” is a statement that you may have often heard when individuals reflect on dramatic changes that lie ahead.1 I have used it myself in conversations, more frequently these days, when it seems that the world around us has become too complex or is being turned on its head. As this column goes to print, we are seeing an escalating war of words and demonstrations of military might between the United States and North Korea, with President Trump threatening to totally destroy North Korea if the United States were forced to defend itself or its allies,2 and launching ever-threatening bomber test runs in the Korean Peninsula with fighter escorts from South Korea and Japan. 3 Meanwhile, North Korea is saying it will test a hydrogen bomb in the Pacific Ocean,4 and that the United States has declared war.5 There is also growing concern across the international community that President Trump will not certify the Iran Deal compliance, and tensions continue in the Middle East and the South China Sea.