Doug Bandow

Biden administration diplomats are wandering Europe warning about a potential invasion of Ukraine. It makes one wonder if the Biden crowd – it is unclear who, if anyone, is in charge of the administration these days – is hoping for a fight over Ukraine. Perhaps "a splendid little war," as the Spanish-American War was called, … Continue reading “Does Biden Administration Want War With Russia?”

Political relations between Moscow and Beijing appear closer than ever. The Chinese and Russian militaries are cooperating. Although the two authoritarian giants aren’t likely to embark upon a campaign of world conquest, Washington has done much to bring together unlikely partners in opposition to US policy. Americans should remember history. In summer 1939 Germany appeared … Continue reading “US Arrogance Encourages Sino-Russian Military Alliance”

Nuclear weapons are terrible, but that gives them greater deterrent power. However, few of America’s allies have them, so Washington has promised to fight potentially multiple nuclear wars on their behalf. It is a great deal for countries that have spent decades cheap riding on the US. With the Biden administration involved in a "nuclear … Continue reading “Europeans Refuse To Defend Selves, Demand US Go To Nuclear War for Them”

As if President Joe Biden didn’t have enough trouble to deal with, he now is supposed to rescue imprisoned Americans around the globe. Last weekend relatives of a couple dozen citizens and residents held overseas sent an open letter to the president demanding action. Organized by the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation – journalist Foley … Continue reading “Whose Life Is It Anyway? – US Government Is Not Responsible for Saving Errant Americans Around the World”

Sometimes really smart people are really stupid. Not just stupid, but malign. Such is the case of Sen. Ted Cruz. The presidential wannabe joined many seemingly principled Republicans in opposing Donald Trump in 2016, but then did the ritual political pirouette and kowtow, submissively embracing Trump’s presidency. Little is more dangerous than burning ambition in … Continue reading “The Stupid Arrogance of Ted Cruz: Opposes Peaceful Diplomacy While Fomenting Economic War”

Originally appeared at the American Institute for Economic Research. The world is a mess, and conservative politicians talk about increasing “defense spending.” This has obvious appeal. After all, who can be against defending the country? The problem is that most of America’s military outlays have nothing to do with defense. From 1789 to 1947, the … Continue reading “Military Spending Is Not the Same as Defense Spending”

Nearly two centuries ago President James Monroe ordered the world’s powers to stay out of the Western Hemisphere. The still young American republic, which lacked a serious navy or army, thereby compounded the hubris of its earlier claim to be creating a novus ordo seclorum, or new order for the ages. Although among the states … Continue reading “China and the Monroe Doctrine: What’s Good for the Goose Is Good for the Gander?”

Only two months ago Washington’s 20-year Afghan experiment in nation-building collapsed both suddenly and ingloriously. The Biden administration would like to forget the entire disastrous experience. President Joe Biden is not to blame for the disaster, however. The three previous administrations sought to make Afghanistan’s government and military in America’s image, rather than as representatives … Continue reading “Washington Should Learn Lessons From the Afghanistan Debacle”

Hardline Islamists have taken control in Iran, nuclear negotiations with Tehran have stalled, the Saudis and Israelis are restless, and talk of military action against Iran is rising. Such is the price the world is paying for the Trump administration’s criminal incompetence. Remember the halcyon days when Donald Trump proclaimed himself the world’s master negotiator … Continue reading “As Iran Forges Ahead With Its Nuclear Program the Trump Administration’s Criminal Incompetence Does Not Justify War”

The military budget is going to be cut. That will cause enormous wailing and gnashing of teeth in Washington. The generals will promote fantastic disaster scenarios. The military-industrial complex will deploy more lobbyists. The Neoconservative Greek Chorus will declaim more loudly. All will insist that the international environment is more dangerous than ever. That America … Continue reading “Strategies To Cut the Military Budget: Realistic Options for an Unrealistic Government”