Doug Bandow

There was a time, back in the mists of history, before the U.S. became the global dictatress, determined to micromanage nations and peoples around the globe. Washington sometimes sanctioned foreign governments, but mostly by restricting Americans. Uncle Sam did not wander the globe threatening other nations if they failed to follow his lead. Today, however, … Continue reading “Treating Friends Like Vile Traitors Rather Than Erring Brothers: When America Became Global Dictatress”

The world is a dangerous place, the upcoming anniversary of 9/11 reminds us. And that is true, though not, paradoxically, so much for the U.S. At least, if Washington didn’t attempt to reign over everyone else. Based on events, the world today should be far safer for America than during most of its history. Certainly … Continue reading “As 9/11’s 20th Anniversary Approaches, the World Is Dangerous: But Should Not Be Particularly Dangerous for America”

With an increasingly enfeebled Joe Biden as president, Republicans are on the attack. The GOP has abandoned virtually every moral principle that it once defended, but the desire to regain power at all costs holds it together. On foreign policy congressional Republicans have no policy other than endless war, irrespective of cost, but they sell … Continue reading “What Is a Winning Foreign Policy? Being the Planet’s Imperial Guardian, Apparently”

President Joe Biden plans to keep U.S. forces in Iraq but out of combat, he hopes. At least that is what he said after representatives of the two governments met Monday in the latest "strategic dialogue." Americans and Iraqis alike are still paying the price for George W. Bush’s disastrous invasion of Iraq. The Islamic … Continue reading “After 18 Years, Bring Home America’s Troops from Iraq”

The U.S. is leaving Afghanistan – finally, after two decades. The result is not likely to be pretty. Government soldiers are surrendering. Taliban forces are advancing. Kabul officials are panicking. The Biden administration is desperately trying to slow the regime’s incipient collapse with resumed airstrikes. It is a tragic situation, but, looking back, at least, … Continue reading “Afghanistan Is Going To Be a Mess: Let China, Russia, Iran, and Others Handle It”

Germany’s chancellor for the last 16 years, Angela Merkel, will retire after her country’s September election. Although the Greens enjoyed a temporary burst of popularity, Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union is back in the lead. If the CDU, which runs in tandem with the Christian Social Union, based only in Bavaria, gains a plurality it likely … Continue reading “Germany’s Confounding Foreign Policy: Conservatives Favor Peace, Greens Plan for War”

David Brooks, a onetime conservative editor at Forbes and the Wall Street Journal, long ago joined the Pretorian Guard for American progressive internationalism and backed its advance around the globe through war. "For most of the past century, human dignity had a friend – the United States of America," he argued last week. In his … Continue reading “The War Lobby Believes Washington Should Represent Everyone Except Americans”

One of the Saudi royals slunk into town last week. There was little press coverage. Indeed, Deputy Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman, son of the king, might as well have been a covert agent for all the publicity that he generated. President Joe Biden apparently wanted to downplay his continued reliance on America’s dubious ally … Continue reading “Treat Saudi Arabia Like a Normal Country: No More Special Favors for a Murderous, Aggressive Regime”

Haiti took a sharp turn toward chaos with the dramatic assassination of its president. Almost immediately proposals for another U.S. occupation were advanced. The Biden administration should resist the temptation to repeat past failures. Indeed, Haiti offers a larger foreign policy caution. In recent years Washington seemed to take the Monroe Doctrine worldwide. America acted … Continue reading “The Tragedy of Haiti: Washington Should Keep Its Troops at Home”

Joe Biden is president and the world appears to love America again. At least, that’s what the residents of 16 nations recently polled told us. It’s been a long four years. Donald Trump’s awful reputation dragged down America’s image throughout most of the world. There were exceptions, of course, but most people in most countries … Continue reading “Does the World Love America Again?”