Tyranny of Good Intentions
Nebojsa Malic on empire to fight ‘atrocities’
Month: May 2012
Promises to Keep
The Chen Guangcheng affair is an object lesson in why the US government shouldn’t stick its nose in other nations’ business, a veritable textbook case illustrating why and how "democracy promotion" can backfire and hurt our interests abroad. Chen, the "barefoot lawyer" who has spent years fighting China’s forced abortion and sterilization policies, could not … Continue reading “Promises to Keep”
Hashemi Trial Postponed, But Not Related Violence
Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi’s trial on terrorism charges was postponed one week at the request of his lawyers. It was to have opened today. His attorneys asked for the delay to demand parliament set up a special court. Meanwhile, at least two Iraqis were killed and two more were wounded.
US Torturers Are Still Awaiting Arrest
Treat ’em harshly,Go to town!There’s no courtTo bring us down. Torture isn’t a good subject to fail on one’s moral report card. If you’re an individual, St. Peter is likely to take a dim view. If you’re a nation, it can cost you plenty of international prestige, besides putting hot-headed zealots yearning for revenge on … Continue reading “US Torturers Are Still Awaiting Arrest”
Not Explaining the Why of Terrorism
John Brennan, President Obama’s chief adviser on counterterrorism, has again put on public display two unfortunate facts: (1) that the White House has no clue as to how to counter terrorism; and (2) (in Brennan’s words) “the unfortunate fact that to save many innocent lives we are sometimes obliged to take lives.” In a speech … Continue reading “Not Explaining the Why of Terrorism”
US-Afghan Pact Won’t End War or Night Raids
The optics surrounding the Barack Obama administration’s “Enduring Strategic Partnership” [.pdf] agreement with Afghanistan and the memorandums of understanding (MOU) accompanying it emphasize transition to Afghan responsibility and an end to U.S. war. But the only substantive agreement reached between the U.S. and Afghanistan — well hidden in the agreements — has been to allow … Continue reading “US-Afghan Pact Won’t End War or Night Raids”
Ron Paul Gets One Wrong
One of the refreshing aspects of the Ron Paul revolution has been its willingness to re-examine America’s fractured foreign policy and return to the old principles of national interest and constitutionalism to serve as guidelines for how the nation should behave internationally. Paul has been bold enough to assert that foreign aid, which accomplishes little … Continue reading “Ron Paul Gets One Wrong”
Iraq: Sunni “Terror” Arrests Hit Ex-Speaker’s Family
Iraqi forces arrested the nephew of ex-speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani and four bodyguards, who are also his cousins. Meanwhile, at least seven Iraqis were killed and 10 more were wounded. Six visitors from Lebanon were also wounded.
Bringing the ‘War on Terrorism’ Home
The Obama cult is revving up its motors for the reelection campaign, with Joe Biden declaiming “General Motors is alive and bin Laden is dead”: that’s the signature slogan MSNBC apparently intends to repeat endlessly until we get some relief on election day. It must be the concatenation of the stars in alignment with Mars, … Continue reading “Bringing the ‘War on Terrorism’ Home”
American Foreign Policy: Have Gun, Will Travel
American foreign policy has become so militarized that pressure groups can now seemingly order up a government armed intervention like customers at a fast food restaurant drive-through window can order up a burger and fries. The latest example is the U.S. Special Forces’ chasing of the wacky but brutal African warlord Joseph Kony in the … Continue reading “American Foreign Policy: Have Gun, Will Travel”