Ivan Eland

Ivan Eland is a senior fellow at the Independent Institute and author of Recarving Rushmore: Ranking the Presidents on Peace, Prosperity, and Liberty.

What to Do About the Wars

As President Obama pooh-poohed as old news the many WikiLeaks documents showing the sad state of the conflict in Afghanistan, the chief executive also began an entire month of crowing about keeping his campaign promise to “bring the war in Iraq to a responsible end.” But in both wars, the president’s strategies are flawed and … Continue reading “What to Do About the Wars”

The Main Effect of the WikiLeaks Documents Is Political

The 92,000 classified U.S. government documents leaked to WikiLeaks.org didn’t reveal many new shocking truths about the U.S. military quagmire in Afghanistan. The facts on the ground have been well known publicly for some time – that the Taliban adversary is getting stronger and is being actively assisted by a faux ally (Pakistan) to whom … Continue reading “The Main Effect of the WikiLeaks Documents Is Political”

Ending the Gaza Blockade Might Help Israel as Much as Gaza

In the wake of Israel’s botched attack on a Turkish ship bringing relief to Gazans from Israel’s (and Egypt’s) economic blockade of Gaza, the Israelis have responded to intensely negative world opinion by relaxing the blockade. That move may help Israel as much as Gazans. Ending the counterproductive economic embargo and blockade would help both … Continue reading “Ending the Gaza Blockade Might Help Israel as Much as Gaza”

Soccer Bombing Should Not Prompt More US Meddling

The synchronized and unconscionable bombings by the Somali group al-Shabab –  of people doing nothing more than watching soccer games in Kampala, Uganda – counterintuitively illustrates why the United States should not be fighting Islamic militancy worldwide. Many of America’s editorial writers are screaming for stepped-up U.S. counterterrorism strikes in Somalia against the group. This … Continue reading “Soccer Bombing Should Not Prompt More US Meddling”

New Rankings Overrate Obama

The periodic Siena College poll [.pdf] of 238 presidential scholars in colleges and universities across the nation ranked Barack Obama, after only a year-and-a-half of his presidency, as the 15th best president out of all 43 in American history. His predecessor, George W. Bush, earned an abysmal 39th rating. Yet, despite differences in rhetoric and … Continue reading “New Rankings Overrate Obama”

The Second Coming of Petraeus

With the justified firing of Gen. Stanley McChrystal and his replacement with Iraq water-walker David Petraeus, it’s as if people are hoping for a second coming of Jesus in Afghanistan. Unfortunately, the replacement may be similar to the second coming of the water-walking Joe Gibbs as coach of the Washington Redskins. Although McChrystal’s derisive comments … Continue reading “The Second Coming of Petraeus”

Taliban’s Time Horizon Longer Than America’s

In contrast to World War II and Desert Storm – which had clear goals, even though those of the latter were limited – the war in Afghanistan resembles the Spanish-American War and the Vietnam War. In the former, the goal changed from defeating the Spanish in a conventional war to subduing Philippine guerrillas in order … Continue reading “Taliban’s Time Horizon Longer Than America’s”

Turkey’s Policy Toward Iran Is Worth Emulating

The sad truth is that if Iran wants a nuclear weapon, it will likely eventually get one. So the United States should quit wasting valuable political capital beseeching, threatening, and horse-trading with China, Russia, and other UN Security Council members to incrementally ratchet up likely futile multilateral economic sanctions against Iran. Economic sanctions rarely work … Continue reading “Turkey’s Policy Toward Iran Is Worth Emulating”

Taking Bush’s Preventive War Doctrine Underground (Sort Of)

Remember when Democrats and independents craved a less belligerent U.S. foreign policy that eschewed the aggressive preventive war doctrine of the George W. Bush administration? When Barack Obama took office, the atmospherics did seem to change as the new president promised to withdraw forces from Iraq and actually talk to unfriendly nations, such as Iran … Continue reading “Taking Bush’s Preventive War Doctrine Underground (Sort Of)”