Doug Bandow

Washington spent two decades at war in Afghanistan. America’s troops are home, but US policy continues to punish the Afghan people. Millions could starve this winter. The Biden administration should make peace with the Taliban. Washington should restore diplomatic relations, negotiate a working relationship with the new regime, and allow Kabul access to what is … Continue reading “US Should Stop Starving the Afghan People: Negotiate with Kabul and Release Frozen Funds”

The US is simultaneously challenging China, Iran, and Russia. Although war remains unlikely, all three involve potential military confrontations with significant powers. Then there is North Korea. The "love affair" between the North’s Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un and President Donald Trump is long over, and Kim has refused to even get acquainted with President Joe … Continue reading “North Korea Continues to Act Up: Why Is America Still in the Middle of the Korean Imbroglio?”

The US and Russia are talking again today, but this time focused on Ukraine. The two sides are discussing President Vladimir Putin’s demand that America and NATO respect Moscow’s security interests. Having treated Russia as of no account since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Washington policymakers have reacted in disbelief to Moscow’s demand to … Continue reading “Offer Russia a Solution, Not a Policy Placebo”

To listen to the US foreign policy establishment, every day Washington fails to sanction another nation America’s reputation takes a dive. Every day the US does not bomb or drone a country or group, America communicates weakness to the world. Every day the president resists launching a war against someone somewhere, he or she squanders … Continue reading “The Credibility Chimera: US Shouldn’t Go to War So It Can Go to War”

Truth be told, many of us have someone like Uncle Sam in our family. It could be an uncle or grandmother. Perhaps a brother- or sister-in-law. A second cousin thrice removed or even more distant relation. Someone who everyone gossips about but who can’t be barred from annual family gatherings. In most cases they are … Continue reading “Uncle Sam Should Make Some New Year’s Resolutions”

Almost every US ally claims to be a friend because of America’s military. It’s really not shared values or even interests. Other nations like being defended by a superpower, so they need not spend much on their militaries. The result is that America has a couple score spoiled, entitled, and obnoxious "allies" who under-invest in … Continue reading “The British Want America To Go to War and Used The Beatles as Ammo”

Christmas 2021 looked a lot like Christmas last year and the year before. Wars and rumors of war circling the planet. With America amid most of them. Washington’s War Party naturally wanted the US to confront China and Russia, threaten Iran, disarm North Korea, protect worthless yet contested rocks throughout the Pacific, kill terrorists the … Continue reading “Will Christmas 2022 Be Any Different From This Year?”

Negotiations over restoring the nuclear agreement with Iran aren’t quite moribund, but the Biden administration has begun to sound a bit like its predecessor in muttering threats of military action. War with Iran would be a catastrophe, much worse than with Iraq. And sending in bombers would only delay, not halt, construction of nuclear weapons, … Continue reading “What Do Iranians Think? Not Much of America, Thanks to Donald Trump”

With Eastern Europe heating up as Russia threatens war against Ukraine, the received wisdom in Washington is that concessions are impossible. After all, rewarding Vladimir Putin’s conduct would only encourage him to increase his demands next time. Moreover, the issue is not just Ukraine. A week ago on "Meet the Press" Secretary of State Antony … Continue reading “When Hypocrites Rule Washington and Washington Is Exempt from the World’s Rules”

Originally appeared at the American Institute for Economic Research. Japan has a new government that has decided to embark upon a major military buildup. The cabinet approved the nation’s highest defense budget ever, which also will set a record as a percent of GDP. The ground-breaking decision sent shock waves throughout the Asia-Pacific, which will … Continue reading “Economic Incentives Matter: Especially When It Comes to Defense”