Doug Bandow

After five years of bloody, inconclusive war, Saudi Arabia declared a ceasefire in Yemen. Although hailed as a possible breakthrough for peace, Riyadh’s de facto admission of defeat did not stop the fighting. Moreover, even an effective ceasefire would be at best a halfway measure. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia should end its invasion and … Continue reading “Withdraw US Support From Saudi Arabia”

President Donald Trump entered office saying that he wanted a better relationship with Russia. Instead, the two governments edged closer to conflict. The administration increased sanctions on Moscow, expelled Russian diplomats, expanded military assistance to Ukraine, and inserted more troops and money into NATO for Europe’s defense. U.S. and Russian forces directly confronted each other … Continue reading “Pandemic Brings US and Russia Closer Together and Washington Hawks Panic”

Iraq is now on its third attempt to choose a prime minister. Parliament has requested the government to expel American troops. The Trump administration’s economic war against Iran has strengthened hardline factions, which remain determined on revenge for the January assassination of Qasem Soleimani. U.S. officials admit that deterrence against Iran and Iraqi militias has … Continue reading “Withdraw from Iraq and Stop at Least One Endless War”

Testimony Before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade, Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa Introduction Without doubt, the rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) represents a significant failure of U.S. policy. However, such a reverse was not entirely unexpected. The Iraqi government … Continue reading “The Rise of ISIS: Iraq and Beyond”

Former Antiwar.com columnist Doug Bandow writes this week in The National Interest President Barack Obama has unveiled his new budget, which proposes continued increases in military outlays. What for? The United States is spending far too much on the Pentagon. There is no more important federal role than providing for the common defense. But what … Continue reading “Squaring the Pentagon”

Former Antiwar.com columnist Doug Bandow writes this week in The National Interest After a rough start with the EP-3 spy plane confrontation, the Bush administration forged a good relationship between the United States and China. Washington realized that it needed Beijing’s help in dealing with North Korea, winning UN Security Council approval for U.S. objectives, … Continue reading “Balancing Beijing”

Former Antiwar.com columnist Doug Bandow writes this week in The National Interest Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is off on her first foreign trip, and the destination of Asia is well-chosen. Economic, cultural and political ties with Europe remain strong, but Asia is likely to dominate the future, containing two possible superpowers as well as … Continue reading “The Asian Century”

The Bush administration came to represent everything bad about American foreign policy. George W. Bush is gone. But the foreign policy remains. The battle for peace, prosperity, and liberty continues. It’s a difficult and frustrating struggle. Although the two big political parties create endless sturm und drang when fighting for votes, they actually disagree on … Continue reading “Peace, Prosperity, and Liberty: The Battle Continues”

Much of the world has greeted the transfer of power from President George W. Bush to President Barack Obama with sighs of relief if not shouts of joy. Although President Bush won a few friends in a few countries – his administration aided India and Israel and kept good relations with China, for instance – … Continue reading “Diplomatic Means to Militaristic Ends”

Barack Obama has taken the presidential oath of office at a time of bitter war and economic crisis.  He promised to meet the many challenges facing America, but within our tradition of constitutional liberty: "we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals," he told the nation in his inaugural address. Those ideals … Continue reading “Investigate and Prosecute the Bush Administration”