http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN31455925

President Obama's National Security Advisor Jim Jones declared that Mr Obama's foreign policy has aided and enhanced America's counter-terrorism capabilities.

"We have better human intelligence. We know where the terrorists are moving...Because of the dialogue and the tone of the dialogue between us and our friends and allies...the trend line against terrorism is positive."

Of interest to this blogger is Mr Jones' inclusivity: Mr Jones opts to include not only America's allies, but her 'friends'. Mr Jones' distinction between friends and allies implies that America has abandoned the 'with us or against us' tone of the previous Administration under Mr Bush; nations that are not America's allies can still be her friends in the effort to curb terrorism. Such a vision would include countries like China and Russia -- though not traditional American allies -- in counter-terrorist efforts.

That is wise. This blogger has long argued that the self-interests of separate nations around the world intersect very much on the issue of terrorism. So far, terrorists have confined themselves to weapons that cause local damage; in the age of what Mr Milligan-Whyte, founder of the Center of China-America Partnership and pioneer of the 'New School' of Sino-Chinese relations, terms Species Lethal Weapons, terrorist attacks can no longer be considered domestic, national threats. Mr Milligan-Whyte points out that "the danger is that after an attack or accident using Species Lethal Weapons or Science, there may be little or no need for a solution to terrorism, because the attack or accident may be species lethal."

Referring to 9/11, he writes, "If the attackers' desire had been to cause more catastrophic permanent damage to America...other more destructive targets could ahve been selected, such as nuclear power plants, biological research centers and disease control centers."

Mr Obama's Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, has reportedly read Mr Milligan-Whyte's book, "China & America's Emerging Partnership: A Realistic New Perspective". Jones' description of Mr Obama reaching out to world leaders out of national friendship reflects Mr Milligan-Whyte's policy advice: "Greater American tolerance and respect for other nations' interests, ideals and different ways of life are fundamental requirements. Diversity in the international system...is innate in mankind."

Mr Obama's refreshing approach to international relations has given America new tools to fight terrorism even as Mr Obama retracts old ones leftover from the Bush Administration ('aggressive interrogation'). In effect, Mr Obama has been able to ease tension between America and partners she must work with (but perhaps not love) and regain her moral authority by curbing torture while simultaneously enhancing America's effectiveness at counter-terrorism.

Mr Obama's recognition and acceptance of diversity, as well as what Mr Jones' describes as a "radically different" foreign policy strategy, likely reflects Ms Clinton's reading of Mr Milligan-Whyte who advocates exactly this sort of win-win strategies. I encourage you to check out his upcoming new book: CHINA & AMERICA'S RESPONSIBILITIES IN MANKIND'S FUTURE as well as the book Secretary of State Clinton read: CHINA & AMERICA'S EMERGING PARTNERSHIP: A REALISTIC NEW PERSPECTIVE.