Doug Bandow

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, under serious political fire at home, has been using Ukraine to play the glorious warrior-leader. Newly returned from a visit to Kyiv, he warned against "Ukraine fatigue." Explained the Winston Churchill wannabe: "When Ukraine fatigue is setting in, it is very important to show that we are with them for the … Continue reading “What Happens If Ukraine Fatigue Sets In?”

The Russo-Ukraine war is destructive and dangerous. Much of Washington believes that a win by Kyiv would serve America’s interests. However, pursuit of victory would be far more costly than Ukraine’s advocates acknowledge. The US and leading European states should seek a modus vivendi with Russia that would secure Ukraine’s independence and yield a stable … Continue reading “The Ukrainian Endgame: An Imperfect Peace Is Better Than Endless War”

President Joe Biden made headlines with his preparations to visit Saudi Arabia and kowtow to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who candidate Biden pledged to treat as a pariah. Receiving less attention is the president’s plan to take his ostentatious grovel from Riyadh to Abu Dhabi. According to Axios: "The Biden administration and the United … Continue reading “Joe Biden Wants You to Die for the Emirati Royal Family”

Americans increasingly wonder where US involvement in the Russo-Ukrainian war is heading. Although this nation is not officially in the fight, it is a belligerent in all but name. US officials have essentially declared war on the Russian Federation and its president, Vladimir Putin. In an apparent attempt to assuage popular concern, President Joe Biden … Continue reading “Who Does Joe Biden Represent? Americans, Not Ukraine, Should Decide US Policy”

President Joe Biden spoke to the American people after a fashion. He, or whoever writes his material, sought to calm rising fears about the consequences of intervening ever deeper in the Russo-Ukraine war. Early popular enthusiasm for the victims of Russian aggression has given way to more practical concerns over the potential for an expanded … Continue reading “The President’s Policy is Dangerous: What Does Joe Biden Believe He is Doing in Ukraine?”

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has driven most other foreign policy issues from the front page. To prove that administration officials can fuel war with Russia and confront China at the same time, President Joe Biden visited Asia. His apparent gaffe regarding Taiwan garnered the most attention. Largely ignored have been other important events. In the … Continue reading “The Afghanistan Collapse: Inspector General Finds US Spent 20 Years Building a Dependent Potemkin Nation”

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a terrible crime. Not that such behavior is unusual in a world riven by conflict. In a little-covered war a quarter century ago an estimated 5.4 million people died in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The international community, such as it is, barely noticed. Nor can the plenitude of sanctimonious … Continue reading “How Does the Russo-Ukraine War End? Prudence, Not Passion, Should Guide Washington”

Mitt Romney narrowly missed being elected president in 2012. So sure was he of victory that he reportedly spent a million dollars on fireworks to celebrate. Oops. Americans were lucky. A majority were prescient in rejecting his candidacy, just as they did Sen. John McCain’s bid four years before. McCain was dangerously unbalanced, ready to … Continue reading “Pushing Nuclear War: Mitt Romney Reminds Americans That He Was Unfit To Be President”

The Washington foreign policy elite, aka the Blob, hates nothing more than dissent from the conventional wisdom that the US must always do more, ever more, in the world. Those who disagree are treated as fools or traitors. Every Friday the Washington Post engages in its weekly act of journalistic masturbation, when one of its … Continue reading “The Washington Blob: Its Blind Arrogance May Lead to War with Russia”

Chris Bryant, the British MP who chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Russia, appears to be either a fool or knave. He confuses banning Russian tennis players from Wimbledon with defeating Moscow in war. And demagogues anyone who questions punishing people who have done nothing other than be born in Russia. Russia’s attack on Ukraine … Continue reading “Demagoguery Won’t Stop Moscow’s Aggression: West Should Stop Sacrificing Principles in Ukraine’s Name”