Month: July 2003

There are some in the Beltway who consider that the very fact that the United States has no particular interest in the outcome of the current civil war in Liberia – beyond a vague humanitarian desire for the killing to come to an end – as the best of justifications for sending American troops to … Continue reading “Liberia: What American Interest?”

Of all places for the U.S. to intervene militarily, why oh why does it have to be Liberia? I’ll tell you why: political correctness. Liberia, you see, gives us a chance to “liberate” a country populated by blacks, and, furthermore, one that was supposedly founded by “freed slaves.” So, you see, America is the “mother … Continue reading “TO HECK WITH LIBERIA!”

There’s plenty of irony in being called “unpatriotic” by foreigners who know little of and care nothing for this country’s proud legacy of contempt for empires. But I must put away my bitterness, for now, because this Independence Day is a time for mourning: it is, after all, quite possibly our last 4th of July … Continue reading “MOURNING IN AMERICA”

According to Amazon.com, everything Foster Rhea Dulles wrote is out of print. That said, the writing of Mr. Dulles is worthy of our attention, both because of his family ties and because, as in his America’s Rise to World Power (1955, Harper Collins), Dulles builds a neat, authoritative case, debunking the avoidance of foreign entanglements … Continue reading “Court Historians, Then and Now”

None of the events or statements that follow should come as a surprise. What is surprising is the lack of reaction by their victims, or those who unwittingly support the perpetrators. As with everything, the ongoing Balkans drama will have consequences yet impossible to foresee. Ancient Greeks used to say, "Whom gods would destroy, they … Continue reading “Liars, Halfwits, Inquisitors and Thieves”

Support at home for the U.S. military presence in Iraq is dropping dramatically as our troubles mount on the battlefield. 56% of Americans now say Iraq was “worth going to war over,” while 42% disagree – a long way down from 73% to 23% in April. The reasons are illuminating. Quizzed as to what motivated … Continue reading “NO EXIT?”

It is seldom incorrect to discount hopes for imminent peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Nonetheless, it seems almost possible to hope beyond hope this time that something resembling a cease-fire between Israelis and Palestinians might stand a chance of lasting longer than a day or so. This seems the case especially since Israeli Prime Minister … Continue reading “A Glimmer of Hope?”